Clothing and textile wholesalers are reluctant to embrace the ‘Buy Zimbabwe’ concept meant to support the growth of local industries, as they prefer imported fabric to buying locally-produced ones. Zimbabwe Textile Manufacturers’ Association, secretary-general, Raymond Huni says wholesalers and retailers were reluctant to embrace the concept regardless of its nobleness.

Zimbabwe’s textiles and clothing industry is seriously weighed down by an influx of cheap imports from Asian countries and is operating under constrained capacity. Compounding the problem is the fact that despite the existence of legislation banning the importation of second-hand clothing, the practice has continued unabated because authorities have failed to enforce the ban.

At its peak, the clothing and textile industry in Zimbabwe used to employ as many as 35 000 people. The number has since whittled down to below 3 000. To promote local industry, government has been preaching the gospel of the Buy Zimbabwe concept.

Huni says that there are 52 companies in the textile industry, though only 15 employ more than 70 employees, while the smallest employs five or so employees. He also added that smaller companies are operating above 50 per cent, while at the same time big companies are operating below 40 per cent.