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Do Everything To Revive Textile, Garment Sectors, Stakeholders Tell Government

Stakeholders in the Cotton, Textile and Garment sectors of the Nigerian economy have called on the government to do everything within it’s power to revive the textile and Garment sectors of the economy.

This was one of tbe highpoints of the Communique issued at the end of the 1st Nigeria International Cotton Summit and Expo 2023.

The conference with theme, “Revamping the Cotton Value Chain,” was held at the Abuja International Conference Centre from Tuesday 17th to Wednesday 18th January, 2023.

The two-day Summit and Expo which was held from Tuesday 17th to Wednesday 18th 2023 at the Abuja International Conference Centre and was well attended by high-level stakeholders

The theme is the earnest desire of all the industry players in the CTG Sector to bring about a turn-around in the fortunes of this major sector of the manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

The Communique reads:

Deliberations and resolutions emanating from this Conference which were very robust and fruitful is expected to put the CTG Sector of Nigeria on a new and higher pedestal.

Summary of Major Highlights of the two-day Summit

These include the Welcome Address by the President of NACOTAN, Chief Anibe Achimugu; Goodwill messages from financial institutions; MDAs; members of the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria; foreign companies doing business in Nigeria; Remarks by Sub-sector Industry Leaders of the CTG Sub-sectors who gave highlights of challenges of the main Sub-sectors and the way forward; the Keynote Address by Alh. Ibrahim Mu’azu, Director, Human Resources, Funtua Textiles Ltd.; Speech by the Special Guest of Honour/Declaration of the Conference open; Recap of Activities of Day One of the Summit by the Technical Consultant to NACOTAN Prof. Olufemi Sunmonu, and robust Technical Sessions of Panel Discussions on Days one and two of the Conference.

Emanating directly from these Panel Discussions include the need to make available Diagnostic Laboratories in Soil Science Schools where farmers can learn how non-fertile land can be treated. At the Gala Night Day One of the Summit, Awards of Excellence was given to credible individuals and organizations who have added value to NACOTAN existence.

Communique/Resolutions of the Summit

Consequent upon the above, the Summit resolves that:

NACOTAN must continue to play its role as the umbrella body for the Cotton, Textiles and Garment (CTG) sector of Nigeria by promoting synergy amongst the sector players. NACOTAN must pursue a closer working relationship with NTMA, GINNERS ASSOCIATION, COPMAN etc.

Since revamping the CTG Sector is predicated on Public-Private Partnership, NACOTAN must expedite follow-up actions with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment on all resolutions of this Summit.

NACOTAN must follow up promptly on the offer made by NEXIM Bank to allow cotton benefit from their Bank’s financing intervention. It was agreed that NEXIM Bank will collaborate with already identified commercial banks to develop a model of financing that will be suitable for the CTG sector.

NACOTAN must as a matter of urgency, establish a working relationship (through the Malian Ambassador in Nigeria) with the Government of Mali by means of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on cotton farming best practices.

NACOTAN should follow up on the Indian High Commissioner’s offer of training and re-training on cotton farming.

NACOTAN must ensure that cotton farming in Nigeria is ‘rebranded’ to become competitive and therefore attractive, especially to the teeming youths of our nation.

NACOTAN must join the follow-up effort of the initiative to establish a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and India that allows both countries to pay for goods of trade with their respective currencies.
NACOTAN must follow up urgently on the offer made by NEPC to support cotton by reducing exportation costs using the instrument of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG).

NACOTAN should do a thorough follow-up of the following recommendations arising out of remarks by Sub-sector Leaders:
Quality seeds must be provided from research.

Relevant Associations should ensure efficient practices
Federal and State governments must be made aware of the need and importance of support to Nigerian Cotton Farmers and Cotton Ginners.

Government must do everything to revive the Textile and Garment Sub-sectors.
Cotton Farming must be provided High Volume Instrument (HVI) for rapid testing of important cotton quality parameters.

Government must be made aware of the need to continue with the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) in cotton farming, while NACOTAN commits to continue to pursue recoveries of loans given to farmers through the ABP.

The sudden stoppage of the ABP after just two years created problems of continuity. NACOTAN must alert the Government/CBN of the need to ‘fine-tune’ the programme to run for at least five (5) years in order that the full impact of the programme can be seen.

NACOTAN must as a matter of priority, convince the need to pay the outstanding balance of input suppliers and service providers who executed their contracts fully but whose payments have been put on hold since year 2020.
NACOTAN must urgently sensitize the military and paramilitary on the need to patronize the CTG Sector in their sourcing of fabrics, uniforms, and blankets for soldiers and prisoners

The Bank of Industry (BOI) must be commended for their support of the CTG sector so far. But must be appealed to, to continue their support which has helped and will continue to help keep the doors of Industry players opened till date.

Revamping the CTG Sector is significantly hinged on reducing smuggling at the countries borders, Government must provide a more aggressive control at the country’s boarders by setting up anti-smuggling Task Force at all points of our borders.

The Federal and State Governments must as a matter of urgency, eliminate multiple taxation on CTG industries and products.
A small Committee (comprising 5-7 members) be constituted as a matter of urgency, by NACOTAN to do an urgent follow-up with the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment as to where certain policies (itemized below), stand as a fall out of the program or as a brief to the Hon. Minister of State, FMITI.The CTG Council
The Textile levy
Executive Order 003
National Policy, etc.

xi. NACOTAN must organize a courtesy visit to the President of AfDB, Dr. Adewumi Adesina who has been a leading promoter of cotton development in Nigeria.

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