LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
The manufacturing sector wants local spinners and weavers to be given more lint to ramp up production amid indications the exportation of more lint is killing the textile industry resulting in the market flooded with smuggled second-hand clothing.
Government has a strict policy of prohibiting the importation of second-hand clothes but Zimbabwean cities are flooded with them showing that corruption is rampant at the country’s porous borders.
The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Mike Kamungeremu told Business Times that the textile industry needs to be capacitated to increase local production.
“There is policy consistency with regards to the sale of second-hand clothes (mabhero) – it is illegal to import second-hand clothing (bales) but legally permissible to sell them.
“The City Councils levy businesses selling second-hand clothing and surely the local textile industry cannot be resuscitated this way. About 90% of clothes being sold are smuggled second-hand clothes.”
He called for improved monitoring and increased duty on the importation of clothes for resale to support the rebound of the textile industry.
Kamungeremu said local spinners and weavers face challenges in accessing the lint.
“We are aware of the provision with specific guidelines on the exportation of lint [70:30 ratio], 70% can be exported while 30% is reserved for local spinners and weavers)), this provision needs to be buttressed by respective legislation,” he said.
