Global textile importers look to Africa

Cost pressures in mainland
China and India as well
as compliance challenges
in the likes of Bangladesh
are fast changing the
sourcing landscape for US
and European buyers in
the textile and garment
industry, according to
Johann Baard, executive
director, Apparel
Manufacturers of South
Africa (AMSA).
“We must recognise that
we are involved in a global
value chain for which
there is continued growing
global demand and we
are therefore looking at a
product and market where
there is secure global
growth,” he said. “This
poses huge potential for
Africa’s export market –
and now is the time to look
at where the opportunities
are and how to exploit
them and leverage from all
of this.”
Critical in going
forward, however,
said Baard, is the
role of partnerships
between business and
government and labour.
“It is a key requirement
for sustainability and
competitiveness,” he said.
In this regard several
countries on the continent
– including Mauritius,
Kenya and Ethiopia – are
taking the lead. Even small
countries such as Lesotho
are proving what can be
achieved when all the
stakeholders work together.