Government sets sight on revamping the Textile sector

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The government has announced plans to facilitate the creation of more than 500,000 new jobs in the country’s textile sector in the next 24 months.

Speaking at the Export Processing Zones Complex in Athi River, the Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization Adan Mohamed disclosed that his ministry will seek to address challenges affecting textile and clothing industry in the country.

The Ministry, Mohamed, said, is spearheading a raft of new measures aimed at boosting local textile production, curbing the threat of Mitumba imports while addressing the hurdles hindering investments in the sector.

The EPZ Apparel’s Sector, Mohamed noted, currently employs more than 35,000 people in the EPZ alone, and has the potential to generate approximately 500,000 jobs across the entire value chain in the country over the next 24monthsif the right mix of policy interventions are implemented.

“The Ministry is also spearheading the Special Economic Zones bill that will aim to fast-track investments in the country by facilitating investments across other inter-dependent sectors,’’Mohamed said.

He added: “however, even as we address the challenges that have persisted in the sector, I wish to appeal to the investors based in and out of the EPZ to consider investing in the local textile production value chain, to realize quick gains for the country, the players and ultimately benefit our cotton farmers.

EPZ Authority Chairman Mr. MathengeWanderi accompanied Mr. Mohamed during the tour to the EPZ complex in Athi River.

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