Apparel sector contributes notably in poverty elevation

21 Nov '09

2 min read

Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry of Fiji is offering a significant contribution in poverty elevation of the country by employing around 4,000 workers and supporting over 8,000 people below poverty line.

It is expected that the monthly exports of 35 export oriented factories of the country would become stable after witnessing a tough period in the last 12 months, as many factories have started utilizing their full capacity and the industry is currently in its peak season.

The industry exported US $80 million worth of goods this year, recording a decline of around 25 percent compared to last year's export of $110 million, said Mr. Kalpesh Solanki, President TCF Council.

According to Mr. Solanki, government's decision to offer $300,000 marketing grant to the TCF industry for next 3 years would prove to be a significant assistance for the sector.

It will help the sector to improve its presence and penetration in the markets such as Australia, New Zealand and the US, and to achieve the target of bringing in $150 million revenue per year as well as to employ more than 6,000 people.

The government has now recognized the contribution of TCF sector in country's economic development and employment generation, stated TCF stakeholders, who have also made submissions, on how the state can further assist the industry, to be included in the 2010 national budget, to be announced soon.

The submission mentions the re-introduction of Tax free factory incentive scheme, urgent need for the establishment of National and Sectoral productivity targets and to establish a national charter of "Full Employment target".

The industry also recommends a new scheme to establish sewing factories in a bid to employ women, who are currently on welfare, to make them independent and also to support local people to cross over the poverty level.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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