South Africa's DTIC to focus on clothing masterplan

27 Jul '20

2 min read

Pic: Sunshine Seeds / Shutterstock.com

The department of trade, industry and competition (DTIC) of the South African government will focus on implementation of four masterplans, including one for the clothing and textiles industry, minister Ebrahim Patel said in his address to the National Assembly during the recent Budget Vote Session. The masterplans aim at increasing production and jobs.

From July 2019, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has seized 550 shipping containers of "illegally-imported and undervalued clothing and footwear, to protect local industries and entrepreneurs," Patel told Parliament.

"An agreement has been reached with the UK to maintain access for South African products in its market after Brexit and the country has also worked hard to build the African Continental Free Trade Area as the foundation for a long-term growth," the minister said.

He stated that South Africa is well-positioned to become a major supplier of industrial goods and value-added services to the continent.

Mentioning that COVID-19 has exposed the fragility in the global economy, he said: "To prepare for the post-COVID world, we will strengthen efforts around reconstruction and recovery, including broader pacts with workers and businesses, focused on saving as many firms and jobs; identifying new opportunities; embracing digital technologies to recover and change; addressing economic inclusion with greater urgency".

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)