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{
    "id": 102949,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102949/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 92,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The tax measures and other miscellaneous amendments I intend to propose hereunder are broadly categorised into six priority areas, which complement the various policies I have already outlined in the earlier part of my speech. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in view of the important role played by agriculture towards our rural development, I propose additional measures to complement measures that I have already outlined. Our capacity in the region to produce wheat and rice is still limited. In order to enable our millers to import wheat grains to supplement local production, I propose to lower the rate of Duty on wheat grain from 35 to 10 per cent for a period of one year. I have also lowered Duty on all imported rice from 75 per cent or US$200 per ton, whichever is higher, to 35 per cent for a period of one year for the same reasons, while at the same time we address the challenges of improving our production capacity in the region. Mr. Speaker, Sir, secondly, our poultry farmers are closing shop in spite of the fact that many Kenyans have wanted to participate in this industry. In order to promote growth of the poultry industry, I have exempted parent stock for chicken breeding from Import Duty. Thirdly, in the past years, a number of investors have been granted tax incentives in order to promote investment and encourage employment. In order to harmonise these with other incentives, I propose to enhance the deduction given for capital expenditure incurred by farmers on farm works from the current 50 per cent per annum to 100 per cent. I have alluded to our economic recovery and said that this is dependent on sustained growth of our industries. In this regard, I have proposed a number of tax measures aimed at facilitating the growth of this sector. Mr. Speaker, Sir, aluminium conductors and cables are key materials in the ongoing electrification programme in the country. Considering that the products are produced locally in sufficient quantities, I have increased the Import Duty on the products from 10 to 25 per cent to encourage our contractors to source them locally and also protect and promote our local manufacturers of the products. The raw products of iron and non-alloy steel coated or plated with tin are key intermediate products in the iron and steel industry. Considering that these products are not available in the region, I have removed Import Duty on the products in order to make them cheaper and available to our local iron and steel industries, I have further removed Import Duty on flat rolled products of iron and non-alloy steel, which are used for the manufacture of filters and bottle tops. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the construction sub-sector achieved significant growth last year. In order to further encourage growth in this important sector, I have removed Import Duty on petroleum coal, which is the raw material used in the production of cement. I have further removed Import Duty on prepared driers and pigments which are used for the manufacture of paints. One of the key drivers of the regional integration is building a strong industrial base, which ultimately will make our products competitive, hence support the East African Community’s Industrialisation Policy. In order to promote growth of our industries and make them competitive in the region, I have granted Duty remission on all industrial inputs used in the manufacture of goods which are Duty-free. Mr. Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will recall the recent adverse effects of the drought on our power generation capacity. While we continue to upscale investment in power generation, we shall also invest in energy saving devices to enable energy consumers to save, thereby reducing their financial burden while at the same time"
}