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Lesotho Textiles & Apparel Project

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"It is fantastic news that the EU trade negotiators have shown the flexibility that they have. The only reason why we never exported any garments to the EU is because the Cotonou agreement did not allow us to use third-country fabrics. Now that they have it will only be a matter of time before the ‘Made in Lesotho’ label is commonly seen on the shelves of EU retailers."

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Lesotho leads the way in terms of exports of apparel to the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). ComMark has been providing technical assistance to all stakeholders involved in the Lesotho industry since 2004. Competitiveness has been enhanced through ComMark¹s training cofinance scheme, while the team has assisted government agencies to diversify the industry both in terms of markets and products. Over 45,000 workers are employed by the industry, earning in excess of US$70-million per year. ComMark is working with all stakeholders to build the ethical reputation of the industry where international brands can source product free of reputational risk. ComMark is also working with industrialists to take advantage of the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

Other resources

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Stitched Up: How rich-country protectionism in textiles and clothing trade prevents poverty alleviation
Oxfam International, April, 2004
Exports of textiles and clothing are a vital source of employment and income for developing countries. Under the Multifibre Arrangement, rich countries used quotas to restrict entry of these goods to their markets. Quotas are now being lifted, but protectionist barriers remain, and more may be erected. The abrupt lifting of quotas has also left several poor and vulnerable countries facing a harsh transition period and in urgent need of assistance.
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Towards collective business action and cross-sector collaboration in responsible competitiveness clusters in southern Africa
Hamann, R., Kambalame, D., de Cleene, S. and Ndlovu, N., March, 2008
Responsible competitiveness clusters are cross-sector collaboration initiatives focused on identifying and acting upon synergies between sustainable development and economic competitiveness objectives. Through three Southern African case studies, this paper investigates the incentives, opportunities and challenges encountered in the emergence of such clusters. The third case study, which makes extensive reference to ComMark’s work in this area, discusses options for enhancing the competitiveness of the Lesotho textile sector.

Project announcements

Maseru Food Gardens Shield 3639 Households from Rising Food Prices

ComMark is committed to addressing food security in worker communities in and around Maseru, Lesotho. Through the Food Gardens Project, initiated by ComMark and co-funded with Catholic Relief Services in Lesotho, we leverage and add value to the labour-intensive clothing and textile training programmes that we have sponsored in Maseru over the past five years. With ComMark partner, ALAFA, the project is targeting 5,000 poor households in urban and peri-urban areas. Thus far, 3639 households are included in the project.

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