Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine September Issue 2018 | Page 55

BEYOND BD
Kenya is Africa's top apparel exporter to the US
in H1 '18
Continuing the growth in apparel
exports to the US market,
African countries are sending a
clear message to the rest of the
world that Africa certainly is an
emerging apparel sourcing region.
The data is recently released by
OTEXA and analysed by 
Apparel Online.
During the first half of 2018,
Kenya topped the exporting
destinations list of Africa with
US $ 165 million worth of apparel
exports to the USA, posting 3.92
per cent yearly growth.
Lesotho, second in the list, noted
double-digit growth of 16 per cent
and shipped US $ 146.33 million
worth of apparels to the US
market. Madagascar too reported
a profitable first half of 2018 and
grew by 21.83 per cent on Y-o-Y
During the first
half of 2018, Kenya
topped the exporting
destinations list of
Africa with US
$ 165 million worth of
apparel exports to the
USA, posting 3.92 per
cent yearly growth.
basis. Madagascar exported
apparels worth US $ 85.50 per cent
to USA during January to June
period this year.
On the other hand, Mauritius and
Morocco were also up, though not
massively, by 0.31 per cent and
3.65 per cent in their respective
exports and clocked US $ 65.45
million and US $ 66.37 million,
respectively. million worth of apparels to its
largest market, thanks to FDI it
attracted in recent times.
Ethiopia grew almost two times
from its export figures of the
same period prior year. Posting
a stellar surge of 96.28 per cent,
the country exported US $ 45.16 However, Tanzania could not
capitalise on the opportunities
that USA provides and fell by 1.38
per cent to ship apparels worth US
$ 18.84 million in the said period.
Pakistan RMG industry pins hopes on new
Government
The new Government in
Pakistan needs to strongly
enhance textile exports and also
implement policies to promote
industrialisation in the nation.
This was recently stated by
Sheikh Luqman Amin, Senior
Vice Chairman, Pakistan
Readymade Garments
Manufacturers and Exporters
Association, PRGMEA, while
backing the new Government.
Sheikh Luqman wished Asad
Umar, who in all probability may
get the Ministry of Finance, and
assured him complete support in
transforming the economy
of Pakistan.
The PRGMEA Senior Vice
Chairman also called the
Govt. to immediately take
steps to clear the pending
refund cases to avoid an
economic collapse of the
industry.
He further remarked that the poor
economic situation in Pakistan
was owing to low exports and high
imports, and therefore Government
needs to take strong measures to
ensure that garment and textile
exports are enhanced. The
PRGMEA Senior Vice Chairman
also called the Government to
immediately take some steps to
clear the pending refund cases so
as to avoid an economic collapse of
the industry.
He quickly added, however, that
PRGMEA was hopeful that the new
Government would take the nation
towards the path of growth and
prosperity and renewal of GSP Plus
status for another two years will
boost exports in Pakistan.
Notably, the apparel sector in
Pakistan currently generates
maximum employment in the
textile value chain.
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