Comments by Rwanda on the OOCR
The 2015 EAC Heads of State Summit agreed to gradually reduce the importation of 2nd-hand clothes & footwear to promote the textile, apparel and leather industries in the region. In that perspective the Government of Rwanda developed a 2017-2019 action plan for the transformation of textiles, apparel and leather industrial sectors in order to increase the quality and quantity of textile, apparel and leather products for both local and foreign markets.
It is estimated that, if everything is implemented, this could create 25,655 jobs, increase the exports to US$ 43 million and decrease the imports of these products to US$ 33 million by 2019 (from $124 million in 2015). The impact on the trade balance will result in saving of US$ 76 million over the 3-year’s period.
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