Huge potential for local garment, textile industry

By GYNNIE KERO
THE garment and textile industry is a huge potential income-earner, according to deputy secretary of operations with the Department of Commerce and Industry, Jessy Banny. 
He said this at the 18th graduation ceremony of the PNG Garment and Textile Institute (PNGGTI), formerly known as Women Textile Training Centre (WTTC), at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday.
Since the inception of WTTC in 2001, more than 2,000 graduates have acquired skills that would enable them to land jobs in companies.
“Garment and textile industry can provide immense potential and opportunity for the people to become successful in business, access to employment, finance and other benefits,” Banny said.
“The department believes in the development of garment and textile industry as well as the training and services provided at the PNGGTI.”
The government has not supported the project financially from 2001-08.
In 2009, a development budget of K3.5 million was allocated, of which two-thirds were used for establishment of extension programmes in East Sepik and Manus provinces.
“I know that the cycle of minimal funding since 2010 and support from the government is inadequate to implement most of the activities at PNGGTI,” Banny said,
“Despite many difficulties faced at PNGGTI, the department has and will continue to maintain and support initiatives and programmes including various impact projects.”
Banny said it was the original vision of PNGGTI to assist underprivileged women, men and youth all over the country.
“I’m also aware of initiatives to assist graduates after their training to start up cottage type industries by giving them capital through our micro financing programme,” he said.
“The project has come this far and we need to put in place a plan to take us from where we are to the next level by improving our current training equipment, curriculum, resource development, staff training and create linkages with other stakeholders.
“This also includes our training and extension programmes in the provinces.”