Fiji encourages textile exports

A Fiji government grant of $300,000 for marketing textiles, apparel and footwear internationally has encouraged the textile industry, which experienced a 25 percent reduction in exports during 2008. Fiji’s 35 export-oriented textile businesses employ an estimated 4,000 and support more than 8,000 who live under the poverty line in the island nation. Future plans include include targets of $150 million in exports in 2010, employment of 6,000 workers and a stronger presence in Australia, New Zealand and U.S. markets.