NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2763
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16 SEPTEMBER 2011
Mr J J Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:
What is the (a) current amount of duty fees charged on the import of
fabric, (b) extent of Governmentâs support for (i) young and (ii) new
entrepreneurs entering the clothing and textile industry and (c) percentage
that the local clothing and textile industry represents in (i) exports and
(ii) the gross domestic product (GDP)?
NW3225E
REPLY
(a) The current customs duty on fabric is 22 per cent ad valorem. Actual
duties are lower as a result of rebates and bilateral trade
agreements.
(b) Government is currently assisting young and new entrepreneurs in the
design of textile and clothing sector through the establishment of a
National Fashion Council of SA. One of its main aims is the
development of aspirant and emergent designers. The Small Enterprise
Development Agency (SEDA) has a number of incubator programmes for
example the SEDA Technology Programme which develops innovative
technology â based platforms that result in the creation of
sustainable, globally competitive SMMEs that contribute towards the
accelerated growth of our economy.
(c) (i) For the period 2010, the textile industry represented 0.64% and
the clothing industry 0.07% of total exports.
(ii) According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the sector
contributed 1,8% of total employment in the second quarter of 2011
(down from 2% three years earlier), of which most from clothing, and
13,7% of manufacturing employment. It is estimated that clothing,
textiles and footwear contributed 0,4% of total value added in 2011
and 3% of manufacturing value added.