Question NW2838 to the Minister of Trade and Industry

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12 August 2015 - NW2838

Profile picture: Hill-Lewis, Mr GG

Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(1) With regard to the procurement of clothing, textiles, and leather goods, how many applications has his department received for exemption from the 100% local content requirement to import raw materials (2) What is the turnaround time for responding to the specified applications (3) Is his department considering ways of making the administrative process for establishing local content in the clothing, textiles and leather goods sector more (a) practical and (b) user friendly? NW 3311E

Reply:

(1) the dti has received a total of 1864 applications from 2012 to date requesting exemption letters for the importation of raw materials which are not readily available in South Africa. These raw materials include polyester, nylon, acrylic fibres and textiles dyes and chemicals. The fibres are converted into finished products after manufacturing the yarns and fabrics in the country. Some technical fabrics which were imported in 2012 are now being woven in the country using high performance yarn like aramid yarns and high performance continuous filament polyester and nylon yarns.

(2) The turnaround time for responding to applications is 48 hours maximum due to high volumes received on a daily basis. The turnaround time is within 24 hours if all documentation including supporting letters from suppliers is provided with the applications.

(3) the dti established the South African Sustainable Textiles and Apparel Cluster (SASTAC) through the Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Programme (CTCP) in close collaboration with all stakeholders. SASTAC is undertaking a comprehensive audit of textile manufacturing capacity and capabilities in the country, amongst other programmes. It is also in the process of developing a website which will make this information, inclusive of traceability, available to both Government entities and any potential supplier to government.

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