The department of commerce of the Indian government has set up an Apparel Training Centre in Nigerian city of Kaduna under its Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (Cotton TAP). The centre, first of its kind in Nigeria, has been established in partnership with the Nigerian government for promoting skill development in apparel manufacturing. It was inaugurated recently under the 2nd India Africa Forum Summit. The centre is aimed to support and catalyse the initiative of the Government of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton textile value chain and address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the west African region, said MK Dwivedi, joint secretary in the department of commerce. At the Textile and Garment Manufacturing Conference recently organised by Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) 2016 in Lagos, Nigerian minister of state for industry, trade and investment Aisha Abubakar announced plans to create a production hub and offer tax incentives to revive the cotton, textile and garment (CTG) industry for sustainable economic development. Nigeria’s textiles industry is virtually tottering under the onslaught of cheap imports and smuggled clothing. Measures to stimulate growth in the industry include tax incentives, harmonised tax structure, infrastructural development and financing, as well as creation of a production hub for cotton industry and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector. Abubakar said that the government would continue to create an enabling environment to promote the ease of doing business and active participation of the private sector to boost production.
