Home

About RATES

Partners Fund

Newsletters

Photo Galleries

Useful Links

Cotton Program > Highlights

ACTIF Internationally Recognized

The African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF), made up of cotton and textile industries in 20 East and Southern Africa countries, was formed in June 2005 and became an immediate presence at key international forums, a fact that was recognized by global leaders in the cotton/textile fields at a number of recent forums. ACTIF is RATES’ principal partner in implementing the cotton/textile program. Highlights are provided below:

Corporate Council on Africa’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit, June 20th -24th, 2005, Baltimore, USA

The RATES cotton specialist, Barry Fisher, attended a CCA meeting in Washington to discuss and confer with the US Association of Importers of Textiles & Apparel along with other textile and apparel experts to discuss, among other issues, measures that could be adopted to create incentives for textile mill investment and production in Africa. Barry participated in the workshop and panel entitled “The Challenge of AGOA in 2005 and Beyond: Value Added in Manufacturing” and also gave a presentation on the regional integration dimension. The event was an excellent forum to establish contacts for ACTIF and to network with a wide cross-section of industry experts, both public and private sector.

AGOA IV Forum, July, 2005, Dakar, Senegal

Following the creation of the African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) in June 2005, the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Forum organizing committee invited Mr. Jas Bedi, Chairman of ACTIF, and Mr. Igsaan Salie, President of the South African Textile Federation and member of the ACTIF Inter-Regional Trade & Supply Chain committee, to attend and participate in the panel addressing the subject of “Strategies and Recommendations for Strengthening U.S. – Africa Trade Post-MFA”.

International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), September, 2005, Istanbul, Turkey

Continuing with the aim of creating international alliances by the presence and representation of ACTIF at key international forums, the Chairman of ACTIF, Jas Bedi, and Barry Fisher participated in the 2005 conference of the ITMF held in Istanbul, Turkey. ITMF afforded ACTIF official recognition by offering significantly discounted membership to the LDC members of ACTIF. This offer represents the first time that ACTIF member, as a single trade block, will have a membership option to the ITMF. Up to now, the only “African” representations in ITMF were South Africa and Egypt.

International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) 64th Plenary Meeting, September 26th- 29th, 2005, Liverpool, UK

The Liverpool plenary attracted over 500 delegates from 45 countries, with nine international organizations participating. The meeting covered a large cross-section of very relevant topics which included production issues, the standardization of instrument testing of cotton, demand enhancement and the subject of ‘African Cotton and the International Community’. Barry Fisher, RATES cotton/textile specialist, participated on the “African Cotton and the International Community” panel and generated significant interest in, and the support of, the activities of ACTIF.