A delegation comprising 300 Gambian fashion designers and apparel producers are currently planning to attend a major textile expo in the United States of America in May. The delegation to the Textile and Sewn Products Industry (TaSPIW) in Atlanta, Georgia, will be led by officials from the Trade and Employment ministry.

Speaking at a press conference held at the US Embassy Thursday, Barry Wells, the United States ambassador to The Gambia disclosed that the visit is part of the efforts of the US Embassy and the Ministry of Trade to help develop the Gambian fashion industry and to help the country maximise benefits under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This year's expo, according to Ambassador Wells is scheduled to take place from 18-20 April.

He added that the event would expose visitors to the latest equipment, technology and textile manufacturing, apparel making as well as high quality fabrics available in the United States. "This US visit is also part of US Embassy's strategy to work with the Gambian fashion industry in a bid to improve the product quality to international level. Besides the event are seminars on current issues in the apparel industry," he said.

The US diplomat further revealed that during their visit, the Gambian delegation will encounter state-of-the-art sewing machines they have never seen before, as well as quality products that will enhance the great work they are already doing. "By participating in this expo, you are making an investment in your respective careers and indeed in their lives," he said while emphasising that through the programme they will be able to improve the quality of their business and expand it to the international market. He explained that this is the main reason the US Embassy and the Trade Ministry are very supportive of their efforts.

He continued: "The trade between the US and The Gambia certainly is one of our top priorities and I am confident of the potentials of this sector. We have quite a lot to be proud of with regard to quality of your work and commitment you make in improving your efforts. We certainly are pleased to see so many of you take advantage of these unique opportunity to be part of the delegation and look forward to seeing you put your expo experience into good use." For her part, Naffie Barry, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Employment, expressed gratitude to the US embassy for inviting the Gambian delegation to the US to participate in the forthcoming textile expo.

The trip, she went on, will avail the Gambian business community the opportunity and expose them to high quality products and technology in the US markets. "Textile products are one of the 6,400 products that are eligible under AGOA," she said.

The Trade and Employment PS assured that they want to take advantage of this opportunity to get Gambians to export to the US market adding that if that is attained, the quality of business will be enhanced as it will contribute positively towards the socio-economic development of this country.

Author: Sheriff Janko

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