Tanzanian Cotton Board seeks revival of textile industries

06 Mar '13

2 min read

In order to fully capitalize from domestically produced cotton, the Tanzanian Cotton Board (TCB) has sought revival of textile industries in the country.

TCB Director General Gabriel Mwalo said presently Tanzania exports around 70 percent of the domestically produced cotton to other countries in raw form, and revival of the textile factories would facilitate value addition.

Mr. Mwalo was presenting a paper at a meeting of cotton stakeholders organized by the International Business and Trade Tanzania Initiative (IBUTTI).

The meeting was called by IBUTTI to deliberate on the scope of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) market, which is likely to expire by September 30, 2015.

Mr. Mwalo suggested that the Government should equip cotton farmers with all necessary farming equipments to help them increase their productivity.

Nina Nchimbi, Director of Marketing of Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), who presented a paper on Natural Fibres Development in Tanzania, said Tanzanian textile industry lacks experts, but in spite of that SIDO is firm on helping Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) to tap the existing opportunities.

Deogratias Mbona, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IBUTTI said there are good opportunities in AGOA market, however only a minimum number of Tanzanian traders are taking advantage of the same.

IBUTTI aims to boost the country’s exports and facilitate its international marketing plans by extending links and information, just as the non-governmental organizations are extending skill and know-how support to SMEs to help them improve their performance in the global market, he said.

IBUTTI has specialists, who are trained in international business and trade, and they help firms to prepare them to take advantage of AGOA and enhance their exports.

Several AGOA beneficiaries would meet in Cape Town in South Africa during April 9-12 to discuss various ways of benefiting more from AGOA, he added.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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