THE EXPORT AGENDA 4TH ISSUE | 2022
KEPROBA - Buy Kenya Build Kenya Initiative and Manufacturing Contracting Manufacturing Key to Spurring Inclusion of SMEs nmundia@apn.co.ke
K
enya
should
vouch
for
contracting
manufacturing to spread benefits accruing from the Buy Kenya,Build Kenya Initiative
where local companies form local partnerships to fulfill requirements of public tenders. A lobby group bringing together stakeholders across the leather value chain asserts that the initiative needs to be tweaked towards favoring large firms that provide proof of incorporating small and medium enterprises in their operations. Describing the government initiative as a ‘silver bullet’ for local manufacturers, Leather Apex Society secretary general Beatrice Mwasi said time had come for Kenya to look at applicable means of trickling down the benefits via contract manufacturing. She observed that three large and two medium-sized shoe-making reported brisk business last year after winning tenders to supply boots to the disciplined forces.
“These firms had machinery and
The
financial
the
enabler towards realization of the
tenders but our SMEs that have
manufacturing pillar was initiated
skilled personal were apparently
in 2019 and is aimed at providing
locked out for luck of machinery and
local
financial muscle. To grow capacity,
with a computer aided design
Kenya must moot a mechanism
manufacturing facility enabling them
that recognizes SMEs contract
to produce world class products.
manufacturing
“Currently, Kenya exports shoes
capacity
to
fulfill
thereby enabling
SMEs to gain experience and build their financial muscle,”she said.
CMF
mooted
leather
as
product
a
key
makers
and other leather articles to regional markets, across Europe, Americas
Mwasi
and to Asia in small quantities
welcomed the government-funded
but CMF will usher in large scale
Kariokor Common Manufacturing
production of high quality products
Facility(CMF) saying it will help
at much lower prices. Kenya must
local cobblers and other leather
priotise activation of this facility
article makers improve on the
with locals trained to operate and
quality of products theory enabling
manage the CMF facility,” she said.
them to meet standards expected in
Ms Mwasi said the Kariokor CMF
In
an
interview,
Ms
both local,regional and international markets.
could help local leather SMEs meet required standards for leather
INSPIRING GLOBAL TRADE
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