KIGALI, March 6 (Xinhua) -- African experts have convened in the Rwandan capital Kigali for the Technical Committee (TC 53) meeting on the standardization of textiles, textile products, and accessories.
The forum, which ran from Tuesday to Friday, focused on finalizing agreements and establishing key standards and labeling systems for the textile sector, with the aim of strengthening trade and supporting economic growth within the continent's textile industry.
Hermogene Nsengimana, secretary general of the African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO), highlighted that Africa still faces a significant gap in developing common quality standards.
He added that currently, only about 25 percent of the standards required for all products in the African common market have been established.
Nsengimana said that ARSO has set a target to significantly reduce this gap within the next four to five years in order to improve product competitiveness and facilitate smoother trade across the continent.
The meeting, organized by the ARSO, also focused on finalizing discussions on 26 African standards related to textiles, clothing, and textile-made equipment.
The gathering brought together experts from 16 countries to develop common continental quality standards for clothing, textile equipment, and related products.
The harmonized standards are designed to remove barriers that complicate the movement of goods across borders, thereby facilitating faster and more efficient trade across the continent.
By aligning quality requirements, African countries aim to maximize the opportunities offered by AfCFTA and create a more competitive and integrated market, according to the meeting organizers.
