Foreign investors have started showing interest on Tanzania’s textile subsector, which is a good indication of prospects for the country’s industrialisation drive. According to the Textile Development Unit’s (TDU) Investment Promotion Director, Mr Tim Armstrong, there is a significant potential for flourishing textile and garment industry in the country, thanks to the country’s cotton production capacity.

Mr.Armstrong said that there had been an influx of foreign investors and retailers in the country to explore investment opportunities and more potential investors are expected in the country soon.

The Tanzania Gatsby Trust funded TDU, which was formed in 2012 is a specialist unit within the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment whose objective is to support development of a large and internationally competitive textile and garment sub-sector

TDU has already facilitated the formation of the Textile and Garment Manufacturers Association of Tanzania (TEGAMAT) to represent the interests of the industry with expertise in technology, management and marketing, the unit is designed to facilitate supplier relationships, build training capabilities and coordinate friendly policies for investors.

TDU is striving to help new investors to locate empty factory space in identified regions and link investors to joint ventures.

The government, TEGAMAT and the TDU are working closely to improve the regulatory environment, incentives for investors, the quality of inputs and the upgrading of the industry.

Tanzania boasts of bumper cotton harvests, with expertise and infrastructure to sustain the spinning, weaving and manufacturing elements of the value chain. Cotton is mostly grown in the Western Cotton Growing Area -- Mwanza, Mara, Chato, Simiyu and Geita regions.