EVERY working day of the week 40 000-odd workers, the majority of them women, briskly walk to their work stations in the textile factories of Thetsane, Maseru Industrial Area and Maputsoe.
Again in the evenings when they knock-off, they proceed to their rented flats around the city preparing for the next day’s working assignment.
The end-product of their toil is the textile and apparel garments exported to the United States (US) market, the largest consumer of these products. Their goods are in stiff competition with similar products from Asia and the rest of Africa, South Africa included.
To hazard a conservative estimate, these workers’ dependents in total are around 200 000. This is a huge number, considering Lesotho’s population of almost two million.
If these women were to lose their jobs or, in a worst case scenario, all the textile factories were to fold, one shudders to think about the disastrous consequences this country would face.
These women support, clothe, educate and feed hundreds of thousands of Basotho.
Furthermore, they contribute substantially to the local transport, retail, electricity and other industries in Lesotho. They are the heartbeat of this nation.
It was, therefore, appropriate for Prime Minister Thomas Thabane to make the trip to the United States with other Africa leaders with a view to extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act preferential (AGOA) trade programme.
AGOA, is a piece of legislation that was passed by the US Congress in May, 2000.
In brief, the legislation is meant to assist the economies of sub-Saharan African countries and to improve economic relations between the US and the region.
AGOA authorises the US president to determine which sub-Saharan African countries are eligible for assistance annually.
It provides trade preferences for quota and duty-free entry into the US for certain goods, notably textiles and apparel goods.
One would ask why a piece of legislation passed in the US would transcend international borders and have influence across the globe.
The reason is not hard to find. The US is undoubtedly the world’s largest and most lucrative market.
Though AGOA was envisaged to expire in 2008, the US Congress extended the legislation to 2015.
It was, therefore, incumbent upon the African leaders, Lesotho included, to lobby for the legislation to be extended.
The eligibility of countries for AGOA preferential trade programme is based on the rule of law, governance, improved labour rights and movement towards a market-based economy.
Dr Thabane should, therefore, be commended for travelling to the US to attend the trade and investment summit to source and secure this most lucrative and largest of markets for our goods.
It is a move that will ensure employment opportunities and livelihood for literally hundreds of thousands of Basotho, in this impoverished nation.
Despite the myriad of challenges facing the coalition government, Dr Thabane and his high-powered multi-sectoral delegation winged their way to far-away shores to secure livelihood for this nation.
A myopic and parochial leader would have stayed home and not joined the rest of the continental and business leaders to seek better opportunities for his people.
Mark my words, I am not underplaying the magnitude of the challenges the coalition government is facing at home.
The African continent, Lesotho included, is blessed with huge natural wealth and an ever-growing middle class.
Lesotho has a lot of pristine tourism destinations and untapped water resources, namely Lesotho Highlands Project and Metolong Dams.
It was therefore a perfect opportunity for the PM to market our country on this, the world’s most sophisticated and powerful economy and population.
Our tourism and investment potential, as a country, is arguably unparalleled despite our small size, in the rest of Africa.
To add to our advantage we are a relatively peaceful, crime-free and stable country, unlike other countries elsewhere in Africa.
Americans, if they come to know of this sleeping giant with its huge potential, will not hesitate to tour and invest in this tiny Kingdom.
With our pristine scenery and countless national heritage sites, we have a friendly and warm people, unequalled anywhere in Africa.
US President Barack Obama, encapsulated the importance of the PM’s visit to the US, when he told the Economist magazine about the importance of the landmark US-Africa leaders’ summit.
He said: “I think America can be central in moving Africa into the next stage of growth and integrating it into the world economy in a way in which is benefiting the people of Africa and it’s not just a source of natural resources”.
Lesotho should be a part of this worldwide movement and should not be left behind.
This was the perfect platform for the Dr Thabane to make Americans know about Lesotho in terms of the politics, business environment and local partners.
This is because foreign direct investors need to invest their fortunes in a stable, reliable and, if possible, cheap labour force. Our business policies are market-oriented and we have attractive tax policies.
Dr Thabane helped ensure the employment of the women in the manufacturing sector remains secure, if only for the short-term.
It is always important to put the interests of the nation first.
Utloang Kajeno
