Textile-clothing sector posts us $2.8 billion in sales in 2002

The textile-clothing sector posted a 28 billion DHS (US $2.8 billion) in sales in 2002, that is a 0.5 rise compared to 2001, chairman of Moroccan Textile and Clothing Industry Association (AMITH), Salaheddine Mezouar, said on Thursday.

Exports constituted 70 percent of the sales, he added, noting that hosiery exports were valued at 7.9 billion DHs (US $790 million), that is an increase of 4.1 percent compared to last year, while apparel products exports dropped by 1.8 percent with 18.4 billion Dhs (US $1.8 billion).

According to Mezouar, apart from the Spanish, Portuguese and UK markets that registered respectively 15%, 24% and 5% rises, drops were recorded in all the other markets in the European Union. Nevertheless, the textile-clothing sector is still the largest employer and exporting industry enterprise, holding respectively 43%, 36% of the market share. A percentage of 23% created enterprises are active in the textile and garment sector, said AMITH's chairman.

The sector has contributed 27 percent of the wage bill in the national industry and accounted for 17 percent of its overall investments in 2002.

Under a framework agreement between AMITH's and the government, 29 projects received 320 million DHs (US $32 million) from the Hassan II fund in 2002, generating some 7,300 jobs, he added.