Govt to limit export of unprocessed leather

Govt to limit export of unprocessed leather

The government is working on regulations to ban the export of raw and semi processed leather hides and skins.

This comes as efforts are made to grow the leather sector which has seen its fortunes dwindle in the last two decades.

Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed says by ensuring sector players have enough material to work with, the leather industry will become more profitable with the production of leather products to meet both local and regional demand.

“What we want to do is to make it difficult for people and industries to export the semi processed leather. We want as much as possible of our leather to be processed into the finished leather that will become the raw material for many our leather products,” Mr Mohamed said during a meeting with industry stakeholders.

The leather sector is currently valued at less than a billion shillings, with the government in plans to build a leather industrial park in Machakos to create a competitive industry.

Mr Mohamed said the ministry would also introduce a number of incentives such as a 20 percent tax-free package for players to sell their wares locally giving Kenyans access to newly made and genuine leather products at attractive rates.

“What we can do as government is to provide the necessary enabling environment as well as the relevant policies that will help you compete effectively within the country,” he added.

The ministry has already received applications from 10 investors keen to set up factories and tanneries at the leather industrial park. The ministry will evaluate proposals from the interested parties before allocating land on the 500 acre park for companies to set up.

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Adan Mohamed leather leather industrial park raw skins and hides

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