Kenya Seeks To Rebuild Textile & Garment Sector
Attendees at a Kenyan textile seminar were told that the government is keen to rebuild the cotton textile and garment sector and thereby take advantage of the AGOA act, which ensures quota free and duty free access to US markets.
This was conveyed by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Moses Kuria who also said that the cotton sector is undergoing a renaissance.
He also spoke of the Kenyan government’s commitment to rebuild and revitalise the cotton industry through a revival and implementation plan, which he thought would revive the fortunes of the textile sector.
He also urged Kenyans to purchase from domestic businesses, rather than importing second hard garments.
Import of secondhand garments has stunted the textile sectors of various African countries like Kenya and Nigeria.
And just like in other cotton producing countries of Africa, Kenya’s cotton farming output is down to just 20 percent from its peak in the 1980’s.
Kuria also showed keenness of the government in setting up cotton gins in regions which are major growers of cotton.
A top Kenyan government official had earlier said that the government would spend $1.6 million to open new cotton gins and revive closed garment factories.
