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| Monday, 17 May 2004 |
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JAAF proposal replaces MFA to make Lanka top global apparel solution provider by Sudarshana Perera The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) will implement a program to improve the productivity, efficiency and marketing capacities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Garment and Garment subcontracting business. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 107 million. The forum is seeking monetary assistance from the Treasury by way of a loan and according to JAAF, the Treasury has responded favourably. This initiative comes as a step to face the expiry of Multi-Fibre Agreement next year and the JAAF is planing to make Sri Lanka's apparel sector a bigger player on the global stage while cementing Sri Lanka as a world class apparel solutions provider and promoting "Made in Sri Lanka" every corner of the globe. Secretary General of JAAF, M. P. T. Cooray told the Daily News that the association has identified 850 SMEs in the apparel sector who needs assistance and initially 200 SMEs will undergo productivity and efficiency training programs for two years and productivity of those firms will be improved by another 30% and the expenditure incurred in the process could be paid back within a grace period. "The program would also be implemented to improve marketing capability, competitive designs, compliance standards, upgrading of technology and ultimately promote Sri Lanka's apparel sector as a total apparel solutions provider", he said. "While assisting and guiding the SMEs, we will also continue to monitor their improvement process of those companies. It is high time that we take steps to face the challenge and find alternatives to capture the international market for our apparel products with the Multi-Fiber Agreement ending next year. We have made our recommendations and proposals to the government and they have extended their support for our endeavour while accepting our proposal as a policy. A separate unit will be set up to spearhead this project and discussions are under way to obtain room at the Clothing Industrial Training Institute at Ratmalana. We are also in the process of recruiting personnel for the purpose", he said. He said that an increase in productivity will be the key success factor in this giant exercise. The local industry must capitalise on its ability to provide fully integrated solutions and manufacture world class products, he said. |
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