Government, through the Trade ministry, took a decision to impose restrictions on the importation of school uniforms which included tunics, dresses, pinafores, shirts, pants, slacks, blouses, t-shirts, ties, scarf, hats, jerseys and tracksuits for the public and private pre-primary, primary, junior and secondary schools.
The Statutory Instrument was published in the Government Gazette dated September 24, 2021, and imposed beginning of this year.
Speaking at the Botswana Textile Sector capacity building workshop themed, ‘Intervention Geared Towards Promoting Sustainable Textile Business Growth’ recently, Trade Minister Mmusi Kgafela said the decision was not rushed with allowance given in preparation for the enactment of the Statutory Instrument. “Contrary to public opinion that the instrument was perhaps rushed, I can assure you that proper research and consultations were conducted. It is important for the entire textile ecosystem: manufacturers, retailers, consumers and other entities to recognise that the execution of an instrument comes with a certain level of resistance,” he said.
However, he assured that the benefits of the decision far outweighs the shortfalls adding that the interventions come with their own teething problems which are normal for any disruption introduced. “Such disruptions are usually corrected accordingly by the market forces and I want to assure you that soon we shall experience stability,” he said.
According to Kgafela, the ministry recognises the urgency of supporting the textile industry as it has the potential to employ graduates that tertiary institutions annually generate. “We anticipate the growth and expansion of the textile factories and certainly the rise in job creation and improvement of Batswana’s livelihoods.
Let’s not be unsettled by the ongoing market disruptions but be hopeful of the anticipated results in the long term,” he said. Furthermore, he assured the textile sector of the ministry’s unwavering support as it exists to ensure that the sector moves in the right path without any impediments. He also urged the sector to make full use of the current instrument to ensure a consistent supply of quality products adding that the Statutory Instrument presents a huge market for the local textile sector to tap from.
