Mr. Filipe James, president of the clothing committee of the SNI (Sociedad Nacional de Industrias) said that the committee plans to present the government with a plan to reactivate the sector and to increase its competitiveness on international markets. The plan is aimed at reducing costs in the sector. Amongst its recommendations is the removal of the 12% duty on cotton imports, which compares to 0% in other countries like Colombia. This is necessary, says Mr. James, as domestic production of cotton is not able to fill demand. The plan also calls for the elimination of the IES (Impuesto Extraordinario de Solidaridad), which is at 2%.

The industry representative says that the government must become more aware of the importance of the sector in the generation of employment, and that a deepening of its crisis will mean the loss of jobs.