Interviews
'Stimulation needed to revive Kenyan textile sector'
02 Jan '15
2 min read
If the Kenyan textile industry is stimulated well, the industry in the country can become competitive and grow to meet the demand from the country and reliance on imported goods can be reduced.
According to Dr Riyaz Haider from Bio Sustain Tanzania, the country’s cotton textile chain is producing low quality and also low in quantity goods, which had increased dependence on imports.
Dr Haidar was speaking at a Textile Market Activation forum in Nairobi, where delegates discussed the challenges faced by the sector and opportunities that would arise by stimulating the industry.
He said that even textile products of Tanzania and Uganda were imported in to Kenya, as the quality of textile products produced in those countries was better than those made in Kenya.
He noted that the Kenyan textile industry had collapsed mainly because of the poor quality of textiles produced by them.
Andreas Peschke, German ambassador to Kenya said this forum was a big opportunity to unravel the opportunities and challenges of strengthening the cotton textile value chain in the region.
Cotton is basic source of income for nearly 20 million farmers in the region and is also the basis for further adding value,” Peschke said.
Higher conversion costs in Kenya, as against its neighbours in Uganda and Tanzania has made the sector very competitive.
High costs have come due to the obsolete technology used by Kenyan producers, besides high taxes and inadequate capacities.
The seminar was also told that unregulated imports of second-hand clothing too had a role to play in the sector turning uncompetitive. (AR)
According to Dr Riyaz Haider from Bio Sustain Tanzania, the country’s cotton textile chain is producing low quality and also low in quantity goods, which had increased dependence on imports.
Dr Haidar was speaking at a Textile Market Activation forum in Nairobi, where delegates discussed the challenges faced by the sector and opportunities that would arise by stimulating the industry.
He said that even textile products of Tanzania and Uganda were imported in to Kenya, as the quality of textile products produced in those countries was better than those made in Kenya.
He noted that the Kenyan textile industry had collapsed mainly because of the poor quality of textiles produced by them.
Andreas Peschke, German ambassador to Kenya said this forum was a big opportunity to unravel the opportunities and challenges of strengthening the cotton textile value chain in the region.
Cotton is basic source of income for nearly 20 million farmers in the region and is also the basis for further adding value,” Peschke said.
Higher conversion costs in Kenya, as against its neighbours in Uganda and Tanzania has made the sector very competitive.
High costs have come due to the obsolete technology used by Kenyan producers, besides high taxes and inadequate capacities.
The seminar was also told that unregulated imports of second-hand clothing too had a role to play in the sector turning uncompetitive. (AR)
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