Tanzania textile mill seeks govt support to achieve its export targets of U.S. $70 bn

Tanzanian A-to-Z Textile Mill, based in Arusha which runs two factory plants intend to sell over US $ 70 billion worth of materials in the overseas markets every year and creating record exports of garments in future years.

According to the Company Executive Officer, Mr Anuj Shah, their dream can come true only with support from the government as well as the people of Tanzania because in order to crack the overseas markets to such an astounding level, A-to-Z must first establish a non-wavering domestic market.

They are making quality products many of which have already found reliable markets in South-Africa, Europe and the United States, but in order to really make it big there, the company needs ample local market base, because customers abroad will only value Tanzanian products if the citizens here also appreciate them, said Mr Shah.

The A-to-Z Executive said that the textile industry in Tanzania faces stiff challenge from the imported second-hand garments (Mitumba) that are preferred by many due to their lower price tags but his establishment has now managed to come up with products that will fit all sorts of pockets.

Bangladesh’s textile exports have reached US $ 70 Billion per year, but Tanzania has more resources and manpower, plus better technical know-how which means with slightly more support the industry can top that with remarkable ease.

The support which Shah needs at the moment is some consideration on the costs on inputs and raw materials, because in other countries electricity charges for the production industries are lowered in order to make them more competitive through cutting down overhead costs, he was on view that the state-owned Tanzania Electricity Supply Company should do the same for local establishments.

The factory, together with its other Arusha-based counterpart, Sun-Flag Limited, is bound to compete with better supported outfits in Bangladesh, India, China and Vietnam in selling their garments abroad.

A-to-Zs two factory plants in Unga-Limited area and Kisongo, ostensibly uses 100 per cent local cotton, ensuring support to local farmers and provides employment to nearly 8500 Tanzanians.