Textile Industry Visits, A Stragety To Implement Ban On Second-Hand Clothes - Trade Minister
PRIMA
The Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives has said that they are visiting textile industries across the country to assess their capacity of production, as one of the measures to enforce the President’s ban on the importation and sale of second-hand clothes in the country.
The state minister for trade, industry and cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, said that Ugandans need to promote the use of first-hand clothes by embracing textile products produced by the country.
This was during the ministry’s visit to Fine Spinners Uganda Limited on a health and performance check of industries in the country.
According to the Ministry of Trade, industry and Cooperatives, Uganda currently has an import duty of almost $800,000 in textiles.
At the end of the month of August, President Museveni banned the importation of used/second-hand clothing into the country, because it hinders the development of local textile industries. He also said that the clothes belonged to dead foreigners and Ugandans should not be excited to wear these clothes.
The trade ministry has said they have resorted to visiting textile industries and also coming up with a policy, as a way of enhancing the implementation of the president’s directive.
Hon. Bahati mentioned the measures the ministry has taken to help some textile industries like Fine Spinners Uganda Limited achieve high levels of productivity.
He also stated the challenges the textile industry is facing so far.
State Minister Bahati said that the factory has increased exports almost by 2 million dollars using raw material, cotton. He and the Fine Spinners Uganda Ltd Marketing Head, Nitin Arura recounted the benefits of using cotton as a raw material in developing the country.
Arura added that the factory converts cotton from feeds to fashions, especially in European markets.
He added that Uganda is succeeding in broadening its markets for textile products worldwide.
About 7 years ago, textile manufacturer, Fine Spinners was handed the premises and assets formerly owned by Phenix Logistics by the government, in a bid to add value to Uganda’s cotton as well as boost the factory’s textile production.
