Interviews
Govt reiterates commitment to cotton & textile sector
30 Sep '09
2 min read
At a function to inaugurate the refurbished Textile Development Agency (Texda), two ministers reiterated the commitment of the government to uplift and wholeheartedly support the struggling cotton and textile industry in the country.
The Minister of Industry and Technology, Rev Simon Lokodo and Minister of Trade, Gagawala Wambuzi spoke about the need for scaling up production in the cotton sub-industry and also promote forward linkages in cotton production.
These statements come at a time when the cotton industry is grappling with challenges including low market prices against high production costs and climatic changes that have tended to reduce productivity of cotton in the country.
The refurbished Textile Development Agency located in Kampala, the ministers said, would offer an opportunity for interested Ugandan entrepreneurs to manufacture high quality hand-woven fabrics and garments.
The agency will offer training services to small-scale women entrepreneurs in handloom weaving; dyeing, printing, surface design and basic design. Besides, it will train entrepreneurs on garment construction, new product development and business management skills.
Trade State Minister Gagawala Wambuzi said that on multiple occasions, he has been humiliated by the increasing demand for Ugandan products yet the country has little to sell to the world market.
Uganda under the AGOA pact was given by the American government a leeway to export products including apparels to the US market at zero duty, but unfortunately has failed to take advantage of the pact.
The ministers said they would recognise and support through tax exemptions and holidays entrepreneurs involved in apparel production.
The Minister of Industry and Technology, Rev Simon Lokodo and Minister of Trade, Gagawala Wambuzi spoke about the need for scaling up production in the cotton sub-industry and also promote forward linkages in cotton production.
These statements come at a time when the cotton industry is grappling with challenges including low market prices against high production costs and climatic changes that have tended to reduce productivity of cotton in the country.
The refurbished Textile Development Agency located in Kampala, the ministers said, would offer an opportunity for interested Ugandan entrepreneurs to manufacture high quality hand-woven fabrics and garments.
The agency will offer training services to small-scale women entrepreneurs in handloom weaving; dyeing, printing, surface design and basic design. Besides, it will train entrepreneurs on garment construction, new product development and business management skills.
Trade State Minister Gagawala Wambuzi said that on multiple occasions, he has been humiliated by the increasing demand for Ugandan products yet the country has little to sell to the world market.
Uganda under the AGOA pact was given by the American government a leeway to export products including apparels to the US market at zero duty, but unfortunately has failed to take advantage of the pact.
The ministers said they would recognise and support through tax exemptions and holidays entrepreneurs involved in apparel production.
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