- The ministry will hold meetings with various stakeholders up to September 27.
- Mvurya said his ministry has a big role to play in fostering economic growth in the country.
Image: HANDOUT
Trade Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has invited views to guide reforms geared towards boosting manufacturing, investments, trade and consumer protection.
Mvurya said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry will engage the public, traders, manufacturers, investors, experts, the private sector, civil society, professional bodies, academia and religious groups to get proposals.
“During our interactions with various stakeholders, we realised that costs and procedures for domestic trade remain burdensome to trade and investments. It is for this reason we decided to do a public participation to collect proposals on policy and legislative reforms,” he explained.
He added that export performance in manufacturing is also struggling, and consumer protection and fair trade still show gaps across sectors.
“Over the last 10 years, the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the GDP has declined from 15 per cent to 7.6 per cent. This has been attributed to several challenges including an unpredictable taxation regime and high cost of power,” he stated.
Mvurya said the ministry, to find solutions to the challenges, will hold meetings with various stakeholders up to September 27.
Addressing a press conference at his office, the CS noted his ministry has a big role to play in fostering economic growth in the country.
With him were representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Keda Ceramics.
Also present were Principal Secretaries Juma Mukhwana (Industry), Alfred K' Ombudo (Trade) and Abubakar Hassan Abubakar (Investments).
The ministry is seeking proposals on how to attract direct private investment (both local and foreign), boost manufacturing, improve customer protection and enhance the performance of the export sector.
The ministry will also hold discussions on the harmonization of taxes within the manufacturing sector and measures to ensure the quality of products.
KNCCI national director Vishal Khagram said they are looking forward to sharing their proposals on improving the business industry in the country.
“We have been waiting for this. It allows us to give views on how we can contribute to the growth of the economy,” he said.