Garment manufacturers in Aba, the commercial centre of Abia state, Nigeria, are seeking support from government agencies to produce seamless products that would withstand competition in international markets. Manufacturers have specially appealed to the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Nigerian Export, Import Bank (NEXIM), for this purpose.

Manufacturers have urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to use part of the N220 billion small and medium enterprises fund, to acquire modern equipment needed in the industry, which would help in finishing of their products. They feel that the garment makers in Aba have the capacity to manufacture for local and export, with the right facilities and equipment.

The President of Association of Tailors and Fashion Designers (ATFAD), Onyebuchi Nwaigwe, says if sector operators are properly empowered, then good quality products would be produced, and this would help create jobs and contribute to the country’s GDP. Besides, he urged the Abia State Government to fulfill its promise of developing the industrial cluster at Umukalika in Obingwa Local Government Area. This would create a more conducive environment for the leather and garment sectors of the country. Aba has one of the largest concentrations of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and a huge number is engaged in leather works, steel fabrication and garment making. Estimates state that Aba has 110,000 shoemakers and 50,000 garment makers.

The region’s artisans’ ingenuity grabbed the attention of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to collaborate with the Federal Government, to set up a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in the city, which would support the clusters to further develop their skills.