Kenya unveils 10-year plan to boost manufacturing sectors

The plan is expected to improve the share of manufacturing sector to over 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the static 11 per cent for the last ten years.

The focus of the plan is to develop a favourable environment for Kenya to shift into higher value-added manufacturing sectors. Mohamed said the government plans to implement the “Buy Kenyan, Build Kenya” policy to reduce the $780 million textile and apparel import bill.

The plans also reveal tapping into new markets in textile and apparel growth by developing industrial park with a textile cluster in Naivasha using natural power. The city of Mombasa is expected to become a hub since the government plans to develop textile clusters in the region to attract investment.

While launching the plan Mohamed informed that by identifying 10 opportunities in Kenya with main strategies in the next five years, 435,000 jobs will be created and $2.85 billion can be added to the GDP.

Under the plan, incentives will be offered for local value addition for multinational companies that consider creating opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises by investing in group packaging.  Such joint efforts are expected to create 10,000 jobs and attract investment of over $200 million in value addition.  (HO)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India