Interviews
'Textile sector imperative to development' – UNIDO chief
29 Nov '08
2 min read
Mr. Masayoshi Matsushita, Director of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO has cautioned Nigeria by saying that if the textile sector is allowed to collapse, it could prove to be a stumbling block in the development and progress of the industrial sector as a whole.
This cautionary message was delivered by Mr Matsushita at a workshop organised by UNIDO and the United Nations Communication team in Kaduna city. Citing statistics he said that the textile sector was its peak a decade ago which indicates to decay in the industrial development in current times.
He had a note of warning when he said that the country will make little or no advance in its development if it fails to resuscitate the dying textile sector which provides employment on a large scale. Nigeria which had over 175 textile units in the 80's has just about 25 in operation now. Exports from the sector have dwindled from US $44 million five years ago to only $11 million now.
He said the root cause of this was rampant smuggling and imports of inferior and cheap quality textiles and garments on a large scale from outside the country and suggested that the government should pursue a screening mechanism to check these low quality imports. Despite the fact that Nigerian manufactured textiles are of the highest quality, these cheap quality imports are making their way in to the country, he added.
He revealed that UNIDO was working on ways to revive this very important sector and the recommendations would be passed on to the government for implementation. He had a point of note when he said that economic growth and stable political conditions were imperative to draw foreign direct investments in to the country and suggested to the government to chalk out incentive schemes and a developmental programme if it intends to grow its economy.
This cautionary message was delivered by Mr Matsushita at a workshop organised by UNIDO and the United Nations Communication team in Kaduna city. Citing statistics he said that the textile sector was its peak a decade ago which indicates to decay in the industrial development in current times.
He had a note of warning when he said that the country will make little or no advance in its development if it fails to resuscitate the dying textile sector which provides employment on a large scale. Nigeria which had over 175 textile units in the 80's has just about 25 in operation now. Exports from the sector have dwindled from US $44 million five years ago to only $11 million now.
He said the root cause of this was rampant smuggling and imports of inferior and cheap quality textiles and garments on a large scale from outside the country and suggested that the government should pursue a screening mechanism to check these low quality imports. Despite the fact that Nigerian manufactured textiles are of the highest quality, these cheap quality imports are making their way in to the country, he added.
He revealed that UNIDO was working on ways to revive this very important sector and the recommendations would be passed on to the government for implementation. He had a point of note when he said that economic growth and stable political conditions were imperative to draw foreign direct investments in to the country and suggested to the government to chalk out incentive schemes and a developmental programme if it intends to grow its economy.
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