Angolian textile and apparel industry has been facing severe problems for past decade, which had a huge impact on cotton production. To cover the deficit the country is faced with to set its textile industry in motion will be importing at least 20,000 tons of cotton yarn a year to feed the textile plants of Satec, in central Cuanza Norte province, Textang II (Luanda) and Africa Têxtil in central Benguela province, as the units gear up to restart production in the coming few months.

The minister of Agriculture, Afonso Canga, said that in the first years to come, they will have to import the raw-material, but afterwards they will reduce gradually, taking into account the investment being currently made in the growing of cotton locally and new technology they will be in a position to produce and meet the amount of cotton yarn needed.

The minister justified the import of cotton yarn saying right now local growers are preparing their projects to start local production of the raw-material.

Minister Canga added that farmlands have been granted to private operators in the provinces of Malanje (northeast) and Cuanza Norte (north) for cotton growing. Central Benguela province will follow.

The arrangements are also in progress for assistance to family production of cotton starting in central Cuanza Sul province, where some land has been put in place for the purpose, including technical aid and water.

As the country waits for the textile units to start with the manufacturing process, the textile factories continue to work with imported raw materials. Once the units begin with the regular work, jobs would be created.