Establish textiles factory in Ashanti -- Asantehene urges

Kumasi (Ashanti), 18th June 99 --

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has appealed to the Vlisco group of companies, a textiles manufacturing company, to establish a textile factory in Ashanti since the region patronises a greater percentage of textiles and wax prints produced in the country adding that acquiring land for the project will not be a problem.

He said since cloth wearing is synonymous with chiefs and Ashanti is the cradle of this institution, it would be in the right direction if a textile factory is established in the region.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu was receiving Mr Gilles Moisan, managing director and other officials of Vlisco who paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The Otumfuo recalled the long-standing relationship between Manhyia and the former United Africa Company Limited (UAC), now a member of Vlisco, and hoped that this relationship will continue.

He expressed appreciation to Vlisco for providing employment for many Ghanaians in the textiles and cocoa purchasing fields.

Mr Moisan explained that Vlisco which comprises Juapong Textiles Company Limited (JTL), Ghana Textiles Printing Limited (GTP) and UAC Textiles has its headquarters in Holland.

He said the company now produces wax prints comparable to imported Hollandais since it is the same technology it uses in manufacturing wax prints.

Mr Moisan wished the Asantehene a long and peaceful reign, adding "I have taken note of your request for the establishment of a textiles factory in Ashanti".

The company donated 50 pieces of wax prints made up of 30 pieces of Hollandais and 20 pieces of GTP to the Asantehene.

GRi?/