Speaking at the Export Processing Zones Complex in Athi River, the Cabinet Secretary for Industrialisation Adan Mohamed disclosed that his ministry would seek to address challenges affecting textile and clothing industry in the country.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 21- 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.
Mohamed said that the ministry was 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.
According to the government, the EPZ Apparel’s Sector currently employs more than 35,000 people in the EPZ alone.
It has the potential to generate approximately 500,000 jobs across the entire value chain in the country over the next 24months if the right mix of policy interventions is 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 further urged investors based in and out of the EPZ to consider investing in the local industry.
“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 realise quick gains for the country, the players and ultimately benefit our cotton farmers,” he said.
EPZ Authority Chairman Mathenge Wanderi accompanied Mohamed during the tour to the EPZ complex in Athi River.
