The current market of the textile industry in Kuwait
Kuwait is a Gulf Cooperation Council member comprises of Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. They confer on special trade freedom in those states. As a participant of the union, Kuwait applied the Incorporated Customs Law in 2003 to aid local trade. In accord with the trade union, Kuwait enacts high taxes on imported textiles. To safeguard regional morals, imports of some products are banned (Haggett 2002).
There are many textile manufacturing companies in Kuwait. Their products are mainly clothing and leather. Other products include garments, 100% Cotton Yarns, Polyester and Cotton Blended Yarns, silk, cotton, soy protein, polyester, and nylon (Haggett 2002).
The marketplace at Kuwaiti is viable despite its size. It has got a massive potential for good power and value-added goods (Haggett 2002). Usually, fabrics are brought into the country, and business is then initiated and strengthened by ties between Indians in Kuwait. In Kuwait, textiles are needed in lesser measures, but in varied designs and knits for their native usage. In regards to the high per capita income in Kuwait, the use of textiles is high. Kuwaitis are known to wear different types of good quality fabrics as emphasized in the PDEXIL report (Hindman 2009).
Kuwait also imports some textiles from Japan, China, and Korea. The country is a good marketplace for “Balad”, the finished polished fabric. Importing polyester and silk attracts 12% in duty. Robe for men, headgear, and ladies wear have great prospects in the Kuwait market but faces some challenges due to lack of satisfactory finishing, dye fastness, and handling. Kuwait customers strictly consider the quality, services competitiveness, and price of the product (Hindman 2009). They trust in long-term commercial associations rather than single time trade relations.
Examples of Kuwaitis companies dealing with textile include; Alshabh Trading Company, Al-Fares Limited, Gulf Shoes Factory, Kuwait Cotton Company, and National Textiles Company among others. They specialize mainly in clothing and leather making. These companies are either involved in processing raw goods or import finished products before adding value then exports them. They mainly work on articles of kit and clothing fittings not crocheted or knitted (Rengel 2003).
The cost of fabrics varies from one company to the other. The reason or the deviation is depending on the location of the company and its customer base. Some companies make a high amount of sales annually and therefore can lower their prices. An example is Polyester Fabric at Safat Al-Ain Textile Company costs 5-8 USD per Yard in 2013 March (Rengel 2003). Sb General Trading is a Comprehensive Dealer of textile products, ready-made garments, and textile fabrics. Their prices range from 3.5-7USD per yard by 2013. The prices of these commodities are under control by Kuwait’s Union of Consumer Cooperative.
Several challenges are facing the Kuwait Textile industry. The biggest risks in manufacturing are typically associated with some factors. The major one is about individual competences. The strength, disposition, and skill vary with different people (Rengel 2003). A cure may be alleged in many techniques such that the things of the undertaking variation in terms of strength each servant. The effects of shielding apparatus, clothing, and well-being complications are considered in sustaining a good workplace. Another factor is the work environment which makes up the risk in the surroundings such as the hued condition of poor floor conditions (Hindman 2009). Steadiness is the other third aspect.
In conclusion, the Kuwait textile industry is one that has grown over time. With limited materials they got, they have been a constant force in the world market of the textile industry by producing quality products. Their products are also of favorable prices, hence most people can afford, and their market is not only locally but across the globe (Hindman 2009). The stiff competition they experience from each other is the driving force for them to attain this success which has earned a greater market share across the world.
References
Haggett, P. (2002). Encyclopedia of world geography. New York: Marshall Cavendish.
Hindman, H. D. (2009). The world of child labor: An historical and regional survey. Armonk, N.Y: M.E. Sharpe.
Rengel, M. (2003). Pakistan: A primary source cultural guide. New York: Rosen Pub. Group.