….Hon Clemence Chiduwa
STAFF WRITER
PARLIAMENT is imploring authorities to introduce import permits and control mechanisms for fabrics and garments across the board.
This comes as Parliament is on a nationwide tour to probe the operations of companies in different sectors of the economy.
Presenting a report during a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo last week, the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on Industry and Commerce, Clemence Chiduwa said there is a need for the government to promote the cotton value chain to expand local industry.
“Over the last 20 years, locally produced fabrics have been systematically substituted by imported fabrics, particularly from low-cost Asian markets.
“The replacement of local fabrics by imported fabrics has been driven by several structural and policy gaps, including lack of effective import management systems, tariff loopholes, absence of deliberate procurement policies, limited support from wholesalers and retailers.
“Import management should not mean a blanket ban on fabric and garment imports but aim to introduce import permits and control mechanisms for fabrics and garments across the board,” Chiduwa said.
He added that import management should curb malpractices in the sector.
“Enforce proper tariff classification and border verification to curb under-invoicing and misdeclaration.
“Following up importers and verifying stocks of fabrics are bona fide imports with necessary duties paid.
“There is a need to harmonise tariff structures to remove loopholes that encourage fabric substitution,” he said.
Speaking to the media recently after touring David Whitehead Textiles in Kadoma, Mashonaland West province, Chiduwa said there is a need for beneficiation, and promotion of local products for the benefit of local farmers.
“There is a need for us to look inwards, look at the whole ecosystem, to what extent can this company source raw materials locally and specifically for our case, we are looking at the ordinary farmer who is in Gokwe, Zaka and Checheche.
“This is a decade where we want incomes to go to people’s pockets and this can happen if we promote the cotton value chain.
“We are also going to look at other companies that are into the cotton value chain. It should assist us as a committee to come up with a comprehensive report, which will then feed into the executive when it comes to policy making,” he said.