Department of Trade and Industry disappointed with SASCOC's decision to import national Olympic team kit

11 Apr 2012

South Africa's Textiles, Clothing, Leather and Footwear Sectors are showing positive signs of recovery and stability returning. This is due to the collective efforts of all stakeholders including retailers, manufacturers, organised labour, as well as provincial and national governments to raise the capabilities and competitiveness of the industry.

This has been led by Department of Trade and Industry's (the dti) Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Programme which has supported intensive upgrading of the industry since 2009. Through these programmes the local manufacturers are becoming globally competitive and are steadily regaining the local retail market share which was lost to the Far East imports before 2009.

Local manufacturers require the support of all local procurement agents so that they can build the economies of scale needed to grow and create the much needed decent jobs in these labour intensive sectors.

Trade and Industry therefore wishes to register its profound disappointment that the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has decided to procure our national team kits for the Olympics to be held in London later this year, from imports. This is despite competitive capabilities available amongst domestic manufacturers and represents a lost opportunity in terms of domestic sales and jobs.

Statement issued by Sidwell Medupe, Department of Trade and Industry, April 11 2012

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