Textile sector costs K1bn

THE country’s textile and garment industry is worth more than K1 billion, according to Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation.
Speaking on behalf of managing director Steven Maken during a garment and textile graduation last Friday, Rodney Sumale said the figure was expected to increase.
“The country’s garment and textile industry has an untapped potential of K1.8 billion in the market,” Sumale said
“This is according to research information we have to this date.
“It is projected to increase to K3 billion-plus in the next 10 to 20 years due to population increase. This industry is a sleeping giant.”
He said billions of kina were going out of the country every year to import finished garments including second-hand clothes.
Thirty-one males and females graduated with skills in the area of garment and textile.
A total of 64 have graduated this year in the garment and textile course run annually by the SME (small and medium enterprises) Corporation which started in 2012.
Sumale said clothing was a basic need thus the demand for it would continue to grow as population increased.
He challenged the graduating trainees to reduce imports of foreign clothing to the country.
“The sector is currently dominated by foreigners and second-hand clothes,” he said.
“I challenge graduating trainees and past graduates to change the trend.
“We cannot depend on imports for the rest of our lives.
“We need to reduce import of foreign clothing.”