Garment is now Fiji’s second highest export to Australia.

The highest ranking for the sector since the heydays pre-2001.

Textile Clothing and Footwear Council in Fiji president, Mike Towler said it was encouraging to be able to continue to grow businesses in Fiji during a very difficult and trying time.

“It is a testament to the hard work of our industry council, our individual members, and our very hard working Fijian staff,” he said.

Garment export to Australia previously ranked seventh or eighth, Mr Towler said.

“Our reputation of being a reliable supplier in the middle of a worldwide pandemic has been enhanced over the past 12 months,” he said.

“We need to keep reminding our customers that Fiji is not just a safe holiday destination, but a place where they can get their garments manufactured by competent good quality manufacturers.”

Mr Towler said Asian suppliers were not always open for business like Fiji.

“Now, customers who were exclusively sending their orders to Asia have turned to us,” he said.

“We were open and operating. “Vinaka to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama; he kept us open.”

He hailed Mr Bainimarama, who stood up for the industry in the face of “howling” criticism to shut down the sector.

“Vinaka Prime Minister Bainimarama, get well again and come back soon,” he said.

“We need you back at the helm as there are storms in front of us.”

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry Council President Michael Towler.

This Year
Mr Towler said it would be a struggle to maintain the same position on the Aus-Fiji trade list this year.

“Tourism will kick back in and will be number one again,” he said.

“However, we will have a strong year and still be in the top three or four place.”

He said women’s garments topped the list of export because of bored women, sitting at home in lockdown buying online.

“No where to go but a new dress is always on the agenda,” Mr Towler said.

Investment Fiji
The trade statistics were for the period January 2021 to October 2021, Investment Fiji said.

The value of all garment exports from January 2021 to October 2021 was FJ$39,130,341.

Topping the garment export to Australia were:
– Women’s or girls garments.

– Garments of other textile materials (not cotton and man-made fibres).

– Life-jackets and life-belts.

– Mens or boys trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of other textile materials

– Women’s or girls trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of other textile materials.

– Mens trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of other textile materials

Fiji Australia Business Council
The garment industry has stood tall during two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, president Warwick Pleass said.

“With numerous members being involved in our Fiji Australia Business executive committee council, we welcome the resilience of that industry during a very difficult time,” he said.

The garment industry has been entrenched in Fiji since the late 1980s and has stood the test of many challenges over the past 30-plus years, he said.

Warwick Pleass, Managing Director of Pleass Global Ltd. Photo: From File.

“The council congratulates them on this notable achievement of rising to number two on the list of Fijian exports to Australia, over the past 12 months,” Mr Pleass said.

“They are looking forward to another good year in 2022.”

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