Discourage cheap textile imports: SPINnet tells Ghana govt

03 Dec '12

2 min read

The Ghanaian Government has been urged to define high standards for imported raw material for textiles.

During an advocacy workshop, SPINnet Textile and Garment Cluster, an association of small textile producers, gave the call noting that the move would cut the unfair competition that such sub-standard imported goods pose to the local textile and garment industry. This is because it would discourage people from buying such fabrics, which are sold at low prices.

The Advocacy action, with financial backing from the Business Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC), is aimed at furthering a platform for SPINnet members and other industry players to discuss the issue of setting minimum norms and its impact on the domestic industry.

SPINnet President Edwina Assan said inputs like dyes for raw materials, machinery and chemicals that the industry imports are of inferior quality. However, presently there are no rules to compel producers to use a particular shade of dyes for repeat orders.

She suggested that import of raw inputs for textile and garment production as also finished products should be restricted or prohibitive taxes should be imposed on the same, so as to promote local goods and also to reduce illegal imports of the same. This again should be monitored to ensure that domestic producers benefit from the same.

She also called on the Government to spot and back the companies, which have a potential of turning into medium scale enterprises, so as to generate more fresh jobs. She said the domestic textile industry, which employed around 25,000 people around 20 years ago, now hardly employs around 3,000 workers in four factories.

She said the Government should persuade investors to boost their investment in the sector to establish units for cotton production, ginning, spinning and weaving, to aid domestic textile producers.

Workshop participants also highlighted the need for the Government to bring down cost of producing textile in the country, which according to them is mainly pushing the prices, compelling domestic producers to import raw inputs.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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