Textile and Garment Manufacturers Association of Tanzania (TEGAMAT) are pushing the government to execute the Cotton to Clothing Strategy (2016-2020).
The strategy advocates construction of local industry, especially the agro-processors. “We urge the government to adopt the strategy to develop and support cotton consuming industries,” TEGAMAT Vice President Sylvester Kazi said in Dar es Salaam, advising the government to use the strategy to implement the second five year development plan.
He was speaking at the official launch of leather, sunflower oil, cotton to clothing strategies and value chain roadmap. The strategy is a fit all to the current industry policies of the SIDP 1996, IIDS 2012 and the EAC Industrialisation Policy 2014.
The common objectives of the policies are to fight poverty through increased productivity of cotton and its value addition to the point of making garments.
Mr Kazi said the objective can be achieved through the removal of administrative burdens, enhancing skills development, improving access to low cost financing and attracting investors, both local and foreign.
Tanzania has developed deep relations with the Indian Government as evidenced by the numerous signed bilateral agreements and MoUs including; the South-South Cooperation, Agreement on a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).
Tanzania once had over 20 garment manufacturing industries. Currently only five remain. Cheap imports have stifled any meaningful progression in the sector. The strategy together with an efficient tax system will bring the much needed solution to sustain and boost the sector.
