Colombian Prez commits to boost textile & apparel sector

“I accept the challenge and the invitation presented by the sector so that Inexmoda can define the necessary elements needed to propel competition”, said Colombia’s President in front of business men and women present at the Show.

The CEO of Inexmoda took advantage of the President´s presence at the show to emphasize the extension of the Decree 074 which increased apparel taxes, stimulating internal production of apparel. This has helped combat counterfeit products, generating more job and business opportunities in the textile-apparel chain.

The head of State underlined the effects of the decree, extending it for a year via the decree 456 and stated that it has been vital for the recuperation of the production and employment in the sector. “Footwear and apparel imports have reduced 20% since the beginning of 2013”.

Similarly, Santos utilised Inexmoda´s appeal to propel the Anti-Contraband Law in Congress, which has been approved in the First debate held by the First Commission of the Senate. He has indicated that the application of the Law and the fight against contraband will be the principal challenge for the new Director of DIAN, Santiago Rojas Arroyo, the acting minister for trade.

President Santos also utilised Inexmoda´s appeal to underline the joint efforts of DIAN, the Fiscal and Customs police as well as ANDI in their fight against counterfeit items.

The CEO of Inexmoda, Carlos Eduardo Botero Hoyos, asked President Santos for the Government's support to end the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement signed with the USA, to accelerate the application of what is known as the “Accumulation of Extended Origin”, which should be applied within the first 6 months of entry validity of the agreement.

According to the CEO of Inexmoda, “this mechanism of integration between Peru, Chile, Central America, Canada and Mexico with the United States, allows for Colombian supplies to be utilised as prime material for manufacturing of apparel in these countries, as well as vice versa”, and emphasised that an URGENT acceleration of this process is needed in order to ensure good use of the FTA is strengthened for the whole sector and that further employment opportunities are created for the country.

The main aim is that the same norms apply in the process of accumulation and are applied in a reciprocated fashion with Mexico, Chile and the Central American Countries (CAFTA) to export to the USA. This will allow these countries to sell textiles to Central American producers and export apparel to the American market with fabrics that are not produced in Colombia but are indeed produced in CAFTA countries, which now export without taking advantage of the FTA.