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Kenya’s apparel sector EPZs posts growth, attracts fresh investments

Kenya’s garment sector export processing zones (EPZs) has recorded significant growth in recent years and boosted the country’s economy. This comes as good news because the fall in export was due to mismanagement and stiff competition from cheaper imports. Their EPZs saw growth in most of their performance indicators in 2016, revealed the Economic Survey. Total capital investment of enterprises increased from Sh48.1 billion in 2015 to Sh51.2 billion in 2016; the number of local staff working in the EPZ increased by 3.4 per cent to 52,019 in value terms’ exports increased 3.7 per cent to Sh63.1 billion in 2016.

The extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative up till September 2025 has kick started the growth trajectory in textile sector. Though AGOA originally covered eight-year period from October 2000 to September 2008, amendments by then US President George Bush in July 2004 extended it to 2015. The US Congress then extended it further to 2025.

Several Kenyan products, notably apparel and agricultural produce have benefitted from this arrangement which has enhanced import duty on all eligible products and granted preferential market access post compliance with Rules of Origin.

The resurgence of the Kenyan textile has attracted new foreign investments. Several top global fashion brands including Calvin Klein, Arrow, Izod and Cherokee have recently signed production contracts with local textile manufacturers in the country.

 
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