Canadian HC: Focus on exporting Swazi textiles to Canada

18 Oct '14

2 min read

Shawn Barber, Canadian High Commissioner to Swaziland, when presenting his letter of credence to His Majesty King Mswati III, Swaziland, said he would focus on exporting Swaziland textiles to Canadian market, the Times of Swaziland reported.

Using the funds granted by the Government of Canada, Swaziland is working with the local textile associations of Swaziland to bring a Canadian expert to Swaziland in the next several months to provide advice and guidance on exporting Swazi textiles to the Canadian market, he said.

The Government of Canada is planning to open an export market for Swaziland textiles to help reduce the number of jobs that could be lost with the loss of benefits under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) from January 1, 2015.

AGOA is a US preferential trade program established in May 2000 that provides duty-free access to the US$3 trillion American market for thousands of products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries.

Swaziland Textile Association’s member Jay Hall said they were exploring avenues to provide a market to the textile industry in Swaziland, which employs about 20,000 people.

According to the Canadian Apparel Federation, the Canadian Government currently imposes 10 to 12 percent tariff on imported textiles and apparels.

Canadian imports from Swaziland mainly consist of woven and knitted apparel. (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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