Vodafone Zambia CEO,
Michael Horup says the nation’s creative industry, particularly fashion has
started wielding notable influence both locally and internationally, a
phenomenon which had the capacity to significantly impact the economic growth
and improve the employment prospects of the country.
Mr Horup said
this during the just ended Zambia Fashion Week, which saw several young
entrepreneurial hopefuls showcasing their products before an audience composed
of fashion enthusiasts, investors, and local and international media houses.
“The textile and
clothing (T&C) industries form a major part of manufacturing production,
employment and trade. Fashion is a structurally diverse industry, ranging from
major international retailers to wholesalers to large design houses to
one-person design shops. Zambia’s burgeoning industry has the potential, if
well nurtured and supported, to employ people across occupations – including
fashion designers, computer programmers, lawyers, accountants, copywriters,
social media directors and project managers.
“Sponsoring Zambia Fashion Week (ZFW) is
part of our continued efforts to help unearth and empower upcoming
entrepreneurs and give them a platform upon which they will be identified by
prospective business partners and investors,” added Mr Horup.
And Karen Nakawala, the CEO and founder
of Afro Multi Media Productions, of which Zambia Fashion Week is an offshoot,
noted that if Zambia’s fashion industry was to have an indelible impact on the
national economy, it would require overwhelming support for the young
entrepreneurs within the sector, both from the public and private sector
perspective.
“Many of the young entrepreneurs actively
involved in the fashion business are self-employed. We need to collectively
support these young people, many of whom are undergoing the incubation process,
only then will we see growth in our textiles and clothing (T&C) industry
and a subsequent impact on economic growth and employment. Against this
background, we commend Vodafone JUMP for their efforts on this pertinent
matter.”
This year’s Zambia Fashion Week (ZFW) ran
from October 19th to the 21st with over
1,000 fashion enthusiasts, investors and media attending the event over the
three-day period. LT
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