BEMA plays down uniform crisis
Botswana Manufacturer Exporters Association has allayed fears that local manufacturers cannot meet demand of school uniforms, following the restriction on importation of school uniforms. Chains stores such as Ackemans and PEP have approached the High Court seeking to interdict on the statutory instrument restricting school uniforms importing.
However, the apex body for manufacturers in the country has dismissed fears that local companies’ alleged inability to efficiently supply retailers. “We have conducted our own compilations of data and deduced that local manufacturers have the capacity to fill in the gap.
“It is also important to note that as we shift towards local consumption, hurdles are bound to emerge, of which a natural market prospect is, however, this does not imply that we cannot overcome such hurdles,” said BEMA Chief Executive Officer, Mmantlha Sankoloba. BEMA said the restriction in importation will trigger the proliferation of local manufacturers within the textile space.
“This in essence will lead to mass jobs in various disciplines and within the value chain,” Sankoloba. Sankoloba bemoaned, "numerous untruths circulating especially on social media platforms" on conversations around textile manufacturer’s readiness to supply the local market.
“It has been significantly alarming to see,” she said. Sankoloba says local manufacturers, make high quality school uniforms and can scale up output to meet any levels of demand. “We already have local manufacturers who are supplying the retail space in Botswana and therefore adequacy has never been an issue.” Last year, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Beauty Manake emphatically insisted that Government will not be bullied out of its decision.
"We cannot continue creating employment and industrialisation opportunities for others," she said. Speaking during the uniform manufacturers workshop and exhibition held in Gaborone in December, Manake assured stakeholders that Government would support their efforts and interests. She explained that local manufacturers had approached the ministry raising concerns about accessing the local market and requesting to impose border restrictions.
“The manufacturers are concerned that we imported textiles and footwear valued at an average of P1.5 billion while we exported only P160 million worth of textiles. Hence the manufacturing sector only contributes an annual average of five percent to our GDP, a severe trade imbalance, and a concern that needs action," she said. Manake added that the instrument aims to support the local textile and clothing industry by ensuring the procurement of school uniforms from manufacturers.
The school uniform was also identified as one of the products to promote active citizen participation and sustainability of SMMEs. Meanwhile, allegations indicate that some chain-store have initiated unreasonable standard requirements to keep out local manufacturers from supplying their shops.