Kenya encourages 'buy Kenya, build Kenya'

03 Apr '17

2 min read

Kenyan Government has issued VAT and duty exemption for its export processing companies to sell 20 per cent of their production to the domestic market. It will boost production, create jobs and give people access to quality clothes. Announcing this, President Uhuru Kenyatta pitched for the 'buy Kenya, build Kenya' during a visit to a grand sale in Nairobi.

"This initiative accords Kenyans an opportunity to access quality, locally made affordable clothes with prices ranging from Sh100 to Sh600 for the same clothes that are sold at Sh6,000 in the US and UK markets," Uhuru said at the sale of export quality low-priced branded new clothes.

He observed that apart from creating jobs, the initiative was also geared towards restoring the dignity of Kenyans by ensuring that they buy brand new clothes instead of second-hand clothes. Uhuru ordered the ministry to extend the sale to other cities and towns across the country.

In a bid to promote local production, the government has issued VAT and duty exemption for export processing companies to sell 20 per cent of their production to the domestic market, the President said.

The apparel and textile sector - which is at the heart of the government's industrialisation agenda - has created 22,000 employment opportunities over the last three years and has a potential to create another 100,000 jobs.

The 'First Ever Super Sale' was an initiative by the ministry of industry in partnership with textiles and apparel companies at the export processing zones both in Nairobi and Mombasa.

It featured companies that export for some of the biggest brands in the world, including Hela clothing that opened the first intimate clothing production line in Kenya and has exported for brands such as Victoria's Secret and Calvin Klein. Other companies were United Aryan, New Wide, Mombasa Apparel and Africa Apparel exporting to the US and UK market. (SV)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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