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Malawi:GTMA tells businessmen to expand |
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2004-9-9
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The Garment and Textile Manufacturers Association of Malawi (GTMA) has urged its members to expand their businesses in response to the government’s pledge that it would promote the sector.
GTMA chairman Kantlal Desai on Monday said the sector has potential for growth and job creation since it already has export markets.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act and ACP/EU-Cotonou agreement are seen as major potential sources for promotion of the local industry.
South Africa is another market that the local industry can explore.
The President Bingu wa Mutharika has taken initiative in making cotton, textile and garment industries as growth areas in his economic development agenda.
The billions of kwacha (domestic currency of Malawi) earned through sector’s domestic and export deals would be enough to stabilise the Malawi economy.
"I would, therefore, like to call upon my fellow investors, both current and potential to move forward and forge ahead with our expansion plans."
"Time has come [for us] to set the example. We do not need to sit back as things will never be the same always," said Desai.
With proper strategies in place, the sector can achieve high growth within the next four to 10 years, according to the GTMA.
Until the early 1990s, Malawi was one of the highest producers of garments and textiles in Africa.
But experts say liberalisation, which brought in second hand clothes into the country and forced local firms to compete with those from the region, crippled the industry. |
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