The Garment Industry in Belize

Posted: Monday, June 6, 2016. 8:14 pm CST.

By Richard Harrison: In year 2000, Belize exported BZ$40 million worth of garments. Today our export of garment is ZERO. The one garment exporter closed down….they used to produce clothing with DICKIES brand.

Belize has the capacity to support a robust garment industry for the domestic market….and expand outward from there.

POLICE: 1000 men, 3000 uniforms/yr @ $70 = $210,000

BDF: 1000 men, 3000 uniforms/yr @ $90 = $270,000

SCHOOL KIDS: 60,000 kids, 100,000 uniforms/yr @ $30 = $3,000,000

SCHOOL TEACHERS: 2000 teachers, 6000 uniforms/yr @ $50 = $300,000

NURSES & DOCTORS: 1000 persons, 2000 uniforms/yr @ $50 = $100,000

GOVT WORKERS: 6000 persons, 12,000 uniforms/yr @ $40 = $480,000

UTILITY WORKERS: 1000 persons, 2000 uniforms/yr @ $50 = $100,000

TOURISM WORKERS: 6,000 persons, 12,000 uniforms/yr @ $40 = $480,000

These are conservative estimates of demand….and we already have a $5 million a year business…..which can employ 100 persons….including managers, designers, accountants, marketers, salespersons, tailors, cutters, warehouse managers, drivers, delivery personnel, etc etc etc

This uniforms business would be the core that would bring all this talent together…..once this talent is under the same roof….BOOM…..too many things can happen.

School bags, bed sheets (hospitals, hotels, residential), bed spreads, pillow cases, curtains, hand towels, beach towels, shower towels, spongy designer kids pillows, table cloths….tropical wear, underwear, socks, polo shirts, t-shirts, etc etc.

Great design talent is coming up in Belize…..will they have to move offshore to perform their magic???

We would have to produce garments of world-class quality….and we can….with just a little organization and training!!!

In the early stages…..government policy would have to provide for some PROTECTION for this “nascent” industry from import competition……do our leaders have the political will to do this????

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

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