adminBrighton Gumbo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Textile Manufacturers’ Association (ZTMA) says the proposed ban on second hand clothes imports will stimulate cotton production and expand the market for local textile companies. Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa announced the ban on second hand clothes and shoes imports with effect from September 1.
ZTMA vice-president Freedom Dube said local textile companies welcomed the move which he said will go a long way in creating jobs as companies will find a ready market for their products.
“We fully support the ban on used clothes and shoes as these are destroying the local industry. People now shun locally produced goods preferring imports which are cheaper but not durable.”
He said the traders of these cheaper imports were not paying taxes to the government.
Dube said while the ban would affect scores of people who earn a living through the trade, the move has a positive long term effect on overall economic growth.
Yorklee Supplies director, Godknows Nhandara said the clothing industry was struggling because of cheap second hand clothes imports.
He said the footwear industry was also affected hence it was operating at less than 50 percent capacity.
Nhandara said most of the second hand items were being smuggled into the country and urged the government to tighten border surveillance.
“Most of the traders smuggle the second hand clothes and as such government isn’t benefiting anything from these imports,” he said.
Dube said because of poor prices, cotton farmers had stopped growing the crop which has been replaced by other cash crops such as tobacco.
Online Reporter