By Chinoyi Chipulu
Small and medium enterprise development permanent secretary Subeta Mutelo says government is targeting growth in the manufacturing sector with the textiles industry being the top priority.
Mutelo said the industry has the potential for growth and can create jobs for the local people.
The permeant secretary was speaking yesterday during the regional women and youth weaving training graduation ceremony, where 34 participants from Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe were trained with weaving skills.
The Weaving Training under the regional women and youth weaving training programme is being implemented by the Handloom Textiles Technologies Association of Zambia (HATTAZ) and supported by the International Trade Centre and We Effect Zambia.
Mutelo said the textiles industry played a vital role towards the country’s diversification and industrialisation agenda, as outlined in the international development plan.
“Allow me to highlight the crucial role that the textiles sector plays, in our national journey towards diversification and industrialisation as outlined in the eighth national and development plan 2022 to 2026. The plan emphasises ensuring growth in the manufacturing sector through targeted intervations ,” she said.
Mutelo said the Ministry launched the and small enterprises policy which included deliberate policy measures aimed at ensuring the SME’s contribute to job creation.
“The textiles industries is one of the priority sectors due to its potential for growth and job creation,” she said.
Mutelo also said the government had placed deliberate focus on manufacturing and specifically the textiles sector.
And We Effect country director Albert Mutasa said the program would enhance and facilitate knowledge exchange among the three participating countries.
And Mutasa expressed concern with the slow growth of the cotton industry in Zambia.
“I am appealing to government to implement positive policies to ensure the gaps in the cotton industry are mitigated,” he said.
