In a bid to aid the local textile industry facing fierce competition from low-cost imports, the Zimbabwean Government has approved a one-year rebate on import of a wide range of materials that domestic garment producers widely use as raw materials.
Under the rebate, which would apply retrospectively from January 1, 2013 and would end on December 31, 2013, a certain amount of money would be reimbursed in the form of reduction, refund or return on the actual amount paid or contributed.
To qualify for the rebate the applicant should necessarily be registered with the national employment council and should be a member of a clothing manufacturers association, the Ministry of Finance said.
Materials that qualify for rebate include cotton sewing thread, plain weave weighing over 100 gm per sq m, denim, sewing thread of man-made staple fibres, woven fabrics of polyester staple fibres, tulles, chenille fabrics, cotton sewing thread incorporating 85 percent or more of cotton in its weight and other net fabrics.
Shoulder pads, snap fasteners, press fasteners and press-studs are some other materials that would also be eligible for the rebate.
On receiving an application seeking rebate, an official would carry out an investigation of the applicant’s premises and machinery and present a report of his findings for the Commissioner’s consideration, the Ministry said.
