The Government of Kenya intends to phase-out the imports of all second-hand garment items, known locally as Mitumba, Kibicho Karanja, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industrialization, has said.
Mr. Karanja said such a step is necessary to revive Kenyan textile and garment sector and to enable establishment of new industries, to strengthen the country's economy and to generate employment.
He was speaking at an event to mark the graduation of 70 garment industry workers, who had successfully completed a week-long training programme.
The Industrialization Ministry Permanent Secretary said the import of second-hand apparel items has crippled Kenya's domestic textile and garment industries and led to large-scale unemployment currently witnessed in the country.
He said the textile and garment industry has played a significant role in those countries that now boast of a strong economy and stressed on revival of the domestic industry for boosting the country's economy.
He informed that the Ministry of Industrialization has received a US$ 22 million grant from the World Bank to enhance the production of cotton, among other things, in the country. The eight-year 'value chain marching' project is scheduled to end by the middle of this year.
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