The Fiji’s Textile, Clothing and Footwear sector exports total 100 million dollars per annum and currently employs around seven thousand people of which around 90% of the workers are women in the forty textile, clothing and footwear factories around Fiji.

The Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Council has received a grant of $100,000 from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Fiji.

Permanent Secretary Shaheen Ali handed over the cheque to TCF Council President Kaushik Kumar stating that with the government grant, the council will be able to promote itself to more international market.

Ali further added that the government will continue supporting the industry and over the years has provided $850,000 for marketing purposes.

The grant will be paid on a half yearly basis. The second half of the payment will be made in March next year.

Meanwhile, the Council President, Kaushik Kumar said that with the previous grants they were able to promote new markets in North America and Europe. There is a potential to do a lot more. They are also looking at the United States.

Fiji’s main export markets are New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific Island countries.