Local textile industry needs help, Maru says

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE textile industry needs to be developed to benefit local “talented” women who can use their skills to earn a living from it, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Richard Maru says.
Addressing staff of the department on Friday, Maru said textile was one of the industries which needed attention and funding from the government.
“We don’t even have an industry body in some sectors like textile for example. Do we keep importing?” he said.
“What are we going to do with all the women who are talented (in relation to textiles)? What is the sector’s plan? How many jobs can we create by getting involved in these sectors?”
Maru said the department should start planning on how it could cater for sectors  which were sustainable and could bring good returns.
“The other aspect is the management of the sectors, especially the sustainable sectors like cocoa, agriculture and fisheries,” he said.
“I would like to know what plans they have.”
He said the sectors should justify why the government should continue funding them.
“Why should we continue to give money to an industry that is dying?”  Maru said.
“This department must start to look at the sectors now and talk about which ones are creating value and which ones aren’t. The government needs to be informed about what they are doing.”
He said he would like to see the plantation management agency started and parked at the National Development Bank (NDB).
“I would like to revive most of the plantations which are gone.”
Maru said he would like to see government entities like NDB being funded with and be able to sustain themselves rather than going back to the government for financial assistance evey time.