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Texfed is an industrial federation of textile trade associations which aims
to provide an excellent service to its members by advancing and promoting
their trade and trade-related interests. It provides information to a wide
range of industry stakeholders and proactively represents the industry on
key issues. NEWSCLIP - AFRICA GROWTH & OPPORTUNITY ACT As at 11 May, five of
the defined forty-eight Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries have been
approved by the United States for benefits under the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA), and are permitted duty-free access for clothing
exports into the USA. The first two countries to be approved were Mauritius
and Kenya, followed on 6 March by the approval of South Africa and
Madagascar and by Lesotho on 23 April. At present there are 8 other
beneficiary SSA countries, where applications for approval under AGOA are
pending. The next most likely countries to be approved are Malawi, Botswana
and Ethiopia. To be approved as a beneficiary country, the country needs to
have satisfied the eligibility criteria specified in Sec. 104 of the Trade
and Development Act of 2000 and complied with the anti-transshipment
provisions set out in Sec. 113 of the Act. These latter provisions encompass
an effective visa system, legislation to permit US Customs Service access to
the countries of export, reportage provisions, full co-operation with the
USA, complete record keeping and reports on manufacturing capabilities. At
present, AGOA only provides for the duty-free access of clothing under
strict rules of origin to the USA. Various categories of duty-free access
for clothing articles are provided for. These can be summarised as follows:-
Duty-free and quota-free access for clothing manufactured in SSA from fabric
wholly formed and cut in the USA from yarns wholly formed in the USA;
Duty-free and quota-free access for clothing manufactured in SSA from fabric
wholly formed in the USA and assembled from thread formed in the USA;
Duty-free access for clothing manufactured in SSA from fabric manufactured
in SSA from yarn originating in the USA or SSA, but subject to a quota
equivalent to 1,5% in year 1, rising in year 8 to 3,5%of the value of total
clothing imports into the USA; Duty-free access for clothing manufactured in
lesser-developed SSA countries, regardless of the origin of the fabric up
until September 2004 and subject to the above quota; Duty-free and
quota-free access for sweaters of cashmere or of 18,5 micron or finer wool,
knit-to-shape in SSA; Duty-free and quota-free access for clothing
manufactured from fabric or yarn not available in commercial quantities in
the USA; and Duty-free and quota-free access for hand-loomed, hand-made and
folklore articles. Certain concessions are provided for in the case of the
use of foreign origin interlinings, finishings and trimmings in the
manufacture in SSA of clothing as long as the value of these items does not
exceed 25% of the value of the clothing article. Another concession is that
non-USA or non-SSA fibre and yarn is permitted in the manufacture of
clothing up to 7% by weight of the garment. The legislative process is
currently underway in the USA, whereby proposed additions and amendments to
AGOA are being considered: the so-called AGOA II or Bush's African
Enterprise Initiative.
Aspects that will be important for South Africa and indeed many other SSA
countries to have changed would be the extension of AGOA beyond September
2008, the termination on 30 September 2004 and the non-extension to higher
developed SSA countries of the third country fabric concession, the
inclusion of yarns, fabrics and household textiles as qualifying for
duty-free access and a number of the other existing provisions of AGOA. It
is important that - this time round - industry and government work in
concert to achieve these objectives. [HOME] [PROFILE] [CONTACT] [SERVICES]
[ASSOCIATIONS] [MEMBERS & PRODUCTS] [BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP] Created and
Maintained by Tradepage Best viewed in 800 x 600 True Color (24 Bit) Formed
in 1975, the Textile Federation acts as the voice and spokesperson for
members of the textile industry on key industry issues. Its main concerns
are trade matters and changes to legislation that affect the industry.
Texfed is made up of four Constituent Associations, namely South African
Cotton Textile Manufacturer's Association (SACTMA); South African Worsted
Manufacturers' Trade Association (SAWMTA) National Fabric Knitters' Trade
Association (NFKTA) and the Fibre Group. (see ASSOCIATIONS for more details)
Texfed represents the full compliment of cotton and wool manufacturers in
South Africa, Swaziland and Botswana and about 60% of the knitting
fraternity. Texfed has played a major role, both proactive and reactive, in
relation to the many aspects that have affected the industry over the past
26 years. It is the principal link between the textile industry and
government and with various other local and international trade associations
and organisations. Its activities have resulted in the maintenance of
confidence, as evidenced by the major expansion plans situated in the
textile pipeline. Whatever has already been accomplished is doubtless due to
a sound and involved leadership, exemplary teamwork and active membership
support. This augurs well for the future prospects of the Federation and for
the welfare of the industry itself. Walter Simeoni: President Postal
Address: P.O.Box 16278 Doornfontein 2028 Physical Address: Construction
House 130 Sivewright Avenue Ellis Park 2094 Telephone: +27 (011)
404-2423/4/5 Fax: +27 (011) 404-2101 Email: texfed@texfed.co.za Website:
www.texfed.co.za Texfed Staff: President: Walter Simeoni Vice-President:
Selwyn Gershman
Executive Director: Brian Brink Economist: Helena Claassens
Communications/PR: Cecilia Auld Secretary: Fatima Takolia
Texfed provides information to a wide range of industry stakeholders and
proactively represents the industry on key issues. An appreciation and
understanding of some of the Principal Functions of the Federation is partly
illustrative of the role it plays on behalf of its membership:- The
maintenance of an effective system of protection against excessive imports.
Export promotion, participation in international negotiations and
administration of quotas. Interaction with the Board on Tariffs and Trade,
the Department of Trade and Industry, South African Revenue Service
including Customs. Acquisition of confidential Import Statistics,
comparative analysis and the evaluation of the effect of specific imports on
the local market. Gathering, aggregation, analysis and dissemination of
external (official), internal and international statistics relevant to the
interests of the textile industry. Analysis of the market size and
characteristics, shifts of patterns of demand and national economics.
Regular dissemination of statistical information and specific statistical
and market information to individual members and other interested parties on
request, subject to such information being appropriate. General
Administrative Services Publicity and Public Relations Interaction with
various foreign embassies, trade missions and Chambers of Commerce &
Industry As well as:- Textile Topics, a quarterly newsletter Trade Directory
& Product Index "Textile Statistics and Economic Review", an annual booklet
A monthly bulletin containing updates on changes to government legislation,
tariffs and other items of interest
A monthly statistical bulletin - "Textile Brief Statistics". Texfed is the
national body representing the manufacturers of textiles, both for the
apparel and industrial sectors of the pipeline.The Federation acts both as
Secretariat for the following associations and directly in matters of common
or overlapping interests. The Federation also provides individual services
to these associations wherever necessary.South African Cotton Textile
Manufacturers' Association (SACTMA) Chairman: Mr R Funnel (Da Gama Textiles)
Vice Chairman: Mr D Duncan (Romatex) SACTMA as an Association is
representative of wide interests including the spinning and weaving of cotto
n and cotton/synthetic blends; the weaving of 100% synthetic fabrics from
spun and filament yarns; Fabric coating and proofing activities and the
manufacture of narrow fabrics and trims. South African Cotton Worsted
Manufacturers' Trade Association (SAWMTA) Chairman: Mr R Clapperton (HEXTEX)
This Association has two sub-divisions, Worsted Spinners/Weavers, and
Worsted Spinners. The latter are mainly concerned with industrial and
domestic knitting yarns and domestic craft yarns, and include other
industrial yarns for weaving and carpet manufacture. The weaving section
members have integrated spinning operations both for their own use and for
industrial yarn sales. The spinning activities include 100% wool,
wool/synthetic blends and 100% spun synthetics and the weaving follow the
same fibre routes with the addition of textured filament woven fabrics.
National Fabric Knitters' Trade Association (NFKTA) Chairman: Mr S Gershman
(Gregory Knitting Mills) Vice Chairman: Mr M McGeever (Frametex) Represents
the interests of the Fabric Knitters, specifically its members being
involved in both weft and warp knitting in all fibres and yarns, and the
dyeing, printing and finishing of these fabrics. Fibre Group This section
is made up of Corporate members of the Textile Federation and includes the
following:
Hoechst SA (Pty) Limited Business Unit Fibres - Manufacturers of polyester
fibre. SANS Fibres - Producers of polyester polymer, polyester and nylon
filament yarnsClick on a link below for more details: * Products is a brief
description only. More details on the company's products and other details
available to non-members from Texfed at R75 per copy PRODUCT: COMPANY EMAIL
ADDRESS WEBSITE Blankets Aranda Textile Mills nmagni@aranda.co.za Various
Yarns Associated Spinners tscaife@iafrica.com Filtration Fabrics /
Non-Wovens Beier Albany & Company hbeier@beiersa.co.za Yarn and Fabric Berg
River Textiles bergriver@romatex.co.za Sewing Threads Bitrim Threads
nhm@sabias.co.za sabias.co.za Knitted Fabrics BMD Textiles
bmdtextiles@bmd.co.za bmd.co.za Cotton Broker Cotton Commodity Brokers
cottonglobal.co.za Furniture and Upholstery Fabrics Court Fabrics
gnapoli@courtfab.co.za courtfab.co.za Research and Development CSIR -
Textek atembo@csir.co.za csir.co.za Yarns and Fabrics Da Gama Textile Co
dagama@iafrica.com dagama.com Towels and Toweling Products Dano Textile
Industries glodina@glodina.co.za Apparel and Textiles David Whitehead & Sons
mailbox@whiteheads.co.za whiteheads.co.za Denim Fabrics De Nim Textiles
norman@de-nim.com Baby Napkins and Towels Dhooges Textiles Dyers and
Finishers Dyefin Textiles dyefin@dyefin.co.za dyefin.co.za Yarns Dynasty
Textiles cotton@iafrica.com Coated Fabrics Era Beier Coatings
willemf@crabeier.co.za crabeier.co.za Industrial Fabrics Fibermill SA
techfab@fibermill.co.za Apparel Fabrics Finitex info@finitex.co.za
finitex.co.za Yarns, Apparel Fabrics and Home Textiles Frame Textile
Corporation frameexec@iafrica.com frame.co.za Apparel and Speciality
Fabrics Gelvenor Textiles dcoetzee@gelvenor.co.za geltex.co.za Knitted
Fabrics Gregory Knitting Mills mailbox@gregory.co.za Hollow Fibre Inners H
and H Fibres pillduv@netactive.co.za Polyester Yarns Hoechst SA Ltd -
(BUFibres) nathwania@hoechst.co.za Woven Fabrics / Apparel Imran Textiles
imrantextiles@mweb.co.za Towels Industex enquiries@industex.co.za
industex.co.za Various Trimmings International Trimmings SA
pat@sabias.co.za sabias.co.za Knitted Fabrics (Apparel) J M V Textiles
jmvtex@mweb.co.za jmvtextiles.co.za Fabrics / Quilted Products KZN Quilted
Products apstarke@iafrica.com Denim Fabrics Lien Fu Textile Co
lienfu@global.co.za Curtaining Loomcraft Fabrics loomcraft@54.co.za
Knitted Fabrics / Apparel Migra Textiles barbara@migra.co.za Dyers and
Finishers Millenium Knitters and Dyers tol2000@iafrica.com Knitted Fabrics
Ninian & Lester fabric@nintex.co.za ninian.co.za Yarns Novel Spinners
men4110@pop.3.kinglsey.co.za Knitted Apparel Fabrics Paltex 1995
paltex@mweb.co.za paltex.co.za Cotton Yarns Prilla 2000 prilla@iafrica.com
tolaramgroup.com Home Textiles Romatex Home Textiles pkwak@romatex.co.za
Knitted Apparel Fabrics Rotex Fabrics rotex.atlantis@cis.co.za Cotton Yarns
S A Cotton Spinners sacotton@iafrica.com Polyester and Nylon Yarns S A N S
Fibres thysl@sans.co.za Yarns - Various Saprotex International
sfarr@usm.co.za knit1.net Yarns, Apparel Fabrics, Home Textiles SBH Cotton
Mills sales@sbhcotton.co.za
Traditional African Fabrics, Scarves and Khangas Silk & Textile Industries
silkroute@santini.co.za Yarns Spintex spintex@africaonline.co.za
Interlinings Stroud Riley bpenlington@chargeurs-interlining.com Apparel,
Traditional Fabrics, Home Textiles Suntex texsun@iafrica.com suntex.co.za
Yarns - Various Table Bay Spinners tbspinn@iafrica.com Knitted Fabrics Team
Puma paul@sherco.co.za sherco.co.za Linings, Household Textiles Toga
Linings toga@std.lia.net Spinners, Dyers and Knitters Trade Link Spinning
tradelink@pixie.co.za Various Yarns Union Spinning Mills wfisher@usm.co.za
usm.co.za Lace Edgings and Insertions Universal Lace & Fabric Mills
unilace@iafrica.com Worsted Fabrics Wooltextile Manufacturers
wtm@wooltextiles.co.za Various Yarns Yarntex sfarr@usm.co.za usm.co.za
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