The Sunday News
PLAYERS in the clothing industry in Zimbabwe are aiming at increasing their visibility and dispelling assertions that the sector is dead as statistics show that there are still 105 registered companies operating employing 6 800 workers, an official said.
Speaking ahead of the 5th edition of the Clothing Indaba to be held in Bulawayo on 26 September, Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association chairman, Mr Jeremy Youmans, said there was a need to raise the profile of the industry.
“We need to be more visible to encourage Zimbabweans to buy locally made goods instead of imported ones as the industry is still viable with some companies exporting substantial amounts of garments,” said Mr Youmans.
The Clothing Indaba will be held under the theme “Made in Zimbabwe”.
He said for the industry to be competitive and be able to compete with imported goods, there was a need to improve on certain areas hence focus on meeting the needs of the market and lobbying Government for more local procurement would take centre stage during the event.
He said in a bid to improve viability of the sector, a number of strategies were put in place.
These include implementing the Clothing Manufacturers Rebate which allows companies to import raw materials, which are not manufactured in Zimbabwe duty free as well as securing funding from the European Union to enable technical training to be done with Zimra personnel so that they are better equipped to identify and classify clothing goods, and then apply the correct duties.
“We have concluded a wage settlement which maintains the current wages but motivates incremental employment by allowing new employees to be offered wages 20 percent below the current level and it enables manufacturers to make longer term decisions by agreeing the criteria for future wage reviews.
It also includes the need for companies to implement performance related bonus schemes so that those employees who are working to international standard and efficiency can be rewarded accordingly,” he said.
Mr Youmans said significant investments had been made in Bulawayo, with Archer Clothing opening last week.
Speaking on the Clothing Indaba, Mr Youmans said there would be an exhibition, interactive sessions and some business to business meetings.
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Mike Bimha, will officiate at the event.
Meanwhile, on the same day there would be a launch of the Zimbabwe Cotton Strategy.
According to reports, the final draft document of the Zimbabwe Cotton Strategy which has been developed over the last five months was with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for approval.
The strategy was developed by representatives of the entire value chain; farmers, ginners, oil expressers, textile, clothing and relevant ministries and Government agencies.
Mr Youmans said technical assistance from the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Comesa was added while the European Union provided funding.
“The strategy is the most progressive work that has been done in the cotton value chain. It is not an academic paper but focuses on deriving objectives and targets with a plan of action for each of the objectives to be achieved within the five-year period of the strategy.
The objectives are based on what is within our control, and can be achieved within the time frame, with resources that are realistically available,” he said.
Identified as a priority sector in the industrial development policy 2012-2016, the industry is a key player in the cotton value chain.
Statistics show that between December 2013 and March this year, the clothing sector had shed 2 000 jobs.
At its peak, the clothing industry used to employ about 35 000 workers.
