Oladele O. Aluko
Abstract
This paper critically appraises the major types of linkages that exist between the textile industries in Kaduna, Nigeria. The findings of the study show that diagonal, vertical, marketing, production, forward, backward and ownership linkages exist between the textile industries. In particular, it was found out that Chinese nationals dominate the ownership of the textile industries in the area, as they have the largest shares in UNTL,SUPERTEX and UNITEX.This promotes existence of ownership linkages between the textiles industries especially in terms of procurement of raw materials used in production. Diagonal linkages also exist between the textile industries. This involves UNITEX, which produces Yarn being used in further production by SUPERTEX and UNTL. The study also found out that backward linkages exist between UNTL,SUPERTEX and UNITEX in terms of raw materials used and forward linkages between UNTL and SUPERTEX along the chain of production. On the other hand, UNTEX, UNTL and SUPERTEX utilize all the yarn produced by UNITEX giving rise to vertical linkages in the production process. Sideways (Managerial Linkages) exist between UNITEX, SUPERTEX and UNTL and marketing Linkages between UNITEX and SUPERTEX. The findings of this study thus clearly indicate that well-established linkages can greatly promote industrial manufac- turing in particular and economic development in general.