The textile and clothing industry from Botswana has formed a new industry group. It’s called the Botswana Textile and Clothing Association (BTCA). The aim is to fully utilise the duty-free incentives under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
BTCA anticipates AGOA will be renewed by the US Congress before it expires in 2015. The association, which was officially launched last month, is ready to help members with solutions to day-to-day challenges. It wants to promote growth and sustainability within the sector while increasing Botswana's regional and international textile and clothing market share.
The group will promote entrepreneurship in the industry as well as assist clothing businesses access finance from financial institutions. It will also work to enhance the capacity of the Botswana industry.
Botswana’s clothing and textile sector has failed to take full advantage of AGOA, struggling to make export sales to the competitive and demanding US market. While Botswana’s textile and garment industry has previously benefitted from trade preferences (also including the European Union), it has performed weakly during and after the global recession.
AGOA gives duty and quota free market access to the US for certain lines of goods from Botswana and 39 other African states.
