Boost for local-market oriented apparel companies

The Government has decided to source the clothing requirement for State institutions from apparel companies catering to the domestic market. 

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved the proposal by the Minister of Industry, as recommended by the State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products, to purchase batik, handloom and local apparel needs for provincial Government institutes from local manufacturers in their respective provinces.

The Government said that poor quality imports being dumped into the market, and the need to import some 70% of production materials, were among the main issues faced by local apparel manufacturers. 

The Government said it hoped the move would solve these issues, adding that provisions had been made to allow Government institutes to purchase their apparel needs from another province in the event a manufacturer within their own province was unable to fulfil the requirements.