Staff Writer
THE Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) is leading local textile, apparel and footwear manufacturers to the two-day Source Africa 2014 exhibition, which gets underway today in Cape Town, South Africa.
The show is the most important annual pan-African textile, clothing, and footwear trade event on the international calendar, and encourages linkages between buyers, manufacturers, and suppliers, investment into manufacturing capacity in Africa and accelerating job-creation on the continent.
According to the organisers of the event, there would be two days of exhibition of products, a business-to-business matchmaking programme, business seminars, and opportunities for networking at the fair. Over 2000 decision-makers, and more than 180 exhibitors, are expected at the show, which is being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
In a statement, the LNDC Caretaker Chief Executive Officer, Tseko Bohloa, said Lesotho’s participation in the event, which is being held for the second time, is aimed at attracting more markets for local manufacturers.
“Lesotho is the largest textile and apparel exporter to the United States of America in sub-Saharan Africa, and this event provides an opportunity to mobilise new orders and secure continued employment in the industry,” said Mr Bohloa, whose organisation’s mandate is to promote Lesotho as an attractive, investment location and destination for both foreign and indigenous investors.
“The country’s participation in this event is aimed at attracting more markets for manufacturers, and to portray Lesotho as the pre-eminent and ethical sourcing destination, with the ultimate goal of securing significant jobs for Basotho.
“We have also co-opted three medium local Cut-Make and Trim (CMT) companies, and 15 small-scale garment and leatherwear manufacturers, as well as textile printing and branding companies to empower and expose them to the dynamics of the industry.”
Lesotho, he added, had managed to maintain its position as the biggest exporter of garments to the US in value terms.
“Source Africa will bring together business leaders and decision-makers from Europe, the United States in particular, and thereby, provides opportunities for Lesotho companies to network with these international buyers.
“The trade show will promote African manufactured products through matchmaking programmes, as well as site-visits,” noted Mr Bohloa.
Meanwhile, the Lesotho pavilion is expected to house 22 exhibitors, as well as Better Work Lesotho, the LNDC, Basotho Enterprise Development Corporation (BEDCO) and Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing representatives.
Established in 2010, Better Work Lesotho is a partnership programme between the International Labour Organisation and International Finance Corporation, whose ultimate goal is to reduce poverty by creating decent work opportunities in Lesotho’s garment industry.
