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Interview
Mr Jaswinder Bedi -
Chairman, African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF)
African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) is a regional trade body formed in June 2005 by the cotton, textile and apparel sectors from across sub-Saharan Africa, to create a unified and recognized voice in both regional and global trade affairs. Individual countries within the region recognized that they could no longer act in isolation and remain fragmented in the face of current and future global challenges - hence there was need for regional integration that would in turn lead to market discovery, increased business linkages, trade and investment.
ACTIF currently includes members from 17 countries ( Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe) , but it is not restrictive in terms of geographical coverage and subscribes to an 'Africa wide' view.
Born on January, 15, 1963, Mr Jaswinder Bedi is the Chairman of ACTIF. He is a graduate in Textile Technology, Bradford College,Yorkshire, UK. He started his career in 1995, leading the family business at IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland. From 2003 to 2005, he had been the MD of Orbit Chemical Industries Ltd. For 2003 to 2006, he was a Board Member of Federation of Kenya Employers and Export Promotion Council.
Presently, Mr Bedi is also the MD of Bedi Investments Ltd (BIL), Nakuru-Kenya, a vertically integrated textile mill manufacturing synthetic yarns, woven fabrics and apparel for export to the US and the EU. He is the Director in Fine Spinners Limited, Nairobi Kenya, which spins cotton yarns and manufacturers A&E sewing threads. Along with this, Mr Bedi also holds the Chairmanship of Kenya Apparel Manufacturers Exporters Association (KAMEA), Kam Textile Sector, and Kam Comesa Committee.
He is the Vice Chairman of Kam Trade Promotion Committee, Kenya India Business Council, and the Co-Chairman of World Bank Cotton Apex Committee (Kenya). He is also on the Board of Export Processing Zones Authority (Kenya).
On personal front he is happily married with two sons, and is fond of International travel, Golf and Motor sports.
In a talk with Face2Face team, Mr Jaswinder Bedi speaks on current movements in global as well as African cotton market.
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| fibre2fashion: |
Kindly apprise us and our members/visitors with more information about ACTIF’s activities allied to the welfare of African Textile & Garments sector?
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Mr Jaswinder Bedi |
ACTIF aims to be a nationally, regionally and internationally recognized trade body that provides effective regional representation at international forums, and is dedicated to the specific concerns of the industry and promotes improved competitiveness in both the regional and global market place.
The Federation is formed on the following principles:
•Emphasis on private sector 'ownership' with strong allegiance of nationally based trade institutions
•Endorses Public/Private sector partnerships
•Builds cooperation, interaction, partnerships, alliances, networks and market linkages
•Promotes a regional supply chain focusing on trade issues of all sectors of the value chain, and building a platform for reducing constraints in regional trade
•Addresses post MFA challenges and increases competitiveness in the global post-quota environment
•Addresses key policy issues
•Collects market data, generates information exchange and shares regional expertise
•Promotes investment and creates international alliances and affiliations
ACTIF has an elected Board of Directors, the composition of which is representative of the ginning, lint trade, textile and apparel sectors. In addition, four action committees have been created and are comprised of National Associations from member countries, dealing with issues relating to:
Global Trade Initiatives
Investment & Finance
The Inter-Regional Trade & Supply Chain
Production, Ginning & Lint Trade
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