NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 26 – The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has partnered with IDH to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness and capacity for sustainable textile and apparel production.
The partnership shall be driven through the 3-year Sustainability for Competitiveness Project focusing on good governance, job creation, environmental conservation, and restoration.
Speaking on Thursday during the partnership launch, Principal Secretary, State Department of Industry, Juma Mukhwana applauded the role of the Textile and Apparel sector in driving the country’s economic growth.
‘’The government has prioritized the Textile and Apparels sector as a key driver of job creation, export development, forex exchange, and industrialization,’’ Mukhwana said.
“Addressing the cost of compliance, the technical capacity to conform to compliance requirements, and making the compliance regime accessible to all is critical in enabling Kenya to increase and diversify its exports to the global markets.”
In addition, Mukhwana highlighted the need to market locally manufactured goods to enhance market access and also the implementation of the buy Kenya build Kenya initiative.
KAM Chief Executive, Anthony Mwangi observed that with the rise of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, organizations are increasingly becoming conscious of their impact on society, and as such are more focused on ensuring this impact remains positive and sustainable.
Mwangi called on manufacturers to adopt global standards saying that adopting globally acceptable standards, practices and policies is crucial in enhancing sustainability in the industry.
“Additionally, conducive legislative and institutional support by the government in providing an enabling environment for unfettered growth in the adoption of sustainable practices is key. In doing so, we shall be able to access both local and international markets,” he said.
IDH Country Director, Jenny Lofbom noted that KAM and IDH shall leverage experiences from more developed countries to drive sustainability for competitiveness.
“Sustainability is everyone’s responsibility. By working together, we shall build an inclusive and sustainable supply chain in the Textile and Apparel sector, from farm to fashion,” she said.
