In a joint press release published this Wednesday, September 26, 2024, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Crafts of Burkina Faso announced a strategic decision aimed at strengthening the value chain of the country’s cotton-textile-clothing sector. This decision concerns the ban on the importation of weaving threads and loincloths woven throughout the national territory.
This ban, which is part of an approach to protect and promote the local textile industry, takes effect from the date of signing of the press release, i.e. September 24, 2024.
Economic operators in possession of valid import authorizations for weaving threads and woven loincloths have a period of three months, from the date of signing of said press release, to finalize their import operations. After this period, the authorizations will be canceled, and any importer who does not comply with this directive will see their authorization declared void, the press release specifies.
In addition, operators holding stocks of these products are required to make a declaration to the competent authorities, namely the Mobile Economic Control and Fraud Repression Brigade (BMCRF) or the regional directorates of the Ministry in charge of Trade.
Thus, Burkina Faso, a country with a strong cotton tradition, seeks to develop an ecosystem where locally produced cotton can be transformed and valued in local units, thus creating jobs and strengthening economic sovereignty in this strategic sector.
Furthermore, by stimulating local industries, the Burkinabe government intends to limit competition from imported products. This decision therefore aims to encourage local producers to turn more towards national raw materials to meet market needs, while strengthening the quality and competitiveness of local textile products.
Free toll-free numbers are also made available to report any non-compliance with the terms of this decision.
By encouraging players in the textile sector to use local materials, the government also hopes to stimulate demand for locally produced cotton, thereby improving the profitability of cotton producers and the entire production chain, from cultivation to production. in the making of clothes.
Augustin Sogoh SANOU