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{
    "id": 135521,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/135521/?format=api",
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    "content": "COMESA and the East African Customs Union that is soon to be common market. In order for our small businesses to sell to these countries without attracting duty, they are expected to get a certificate of origin. Not enough businesses are coming forward for that certificate. So, the key message is that we want to beseech Members of Parliament to be at the forefront in ensuring that our small businesses across the country know that these incentives exist, so that they can take advantage of them. For example, we talk a lot about access to finance – that we want to encourage small businesses to be able to get access to finance. Right now, we have a small fund, as a Ministry, to support and gives incentives to small businesses to go out and get venture capital, but we are not getting enough customers. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, Mr. Wetangula spoke about our ability, as a Ministry, to persuade others to walk the talk with us, because industrialization is a collective effort. I agree that, as a country, we must get out of this habit of working in silence, where we see only our individual turfs. For example, if you take the industrial parks and economic zones that we are undertaking involves not just the Ministry but also utilities, roads and everybody, therefore, we must work together. It is true that the opportunities are across the country. Typically, people think that the grass is greener on the other side, but the opportunity to industrialise and create wealth is across the country. So, if you go to Kisii, or Tabaka, you will find soapstone. If you go to Baringo, you will find some of the best honey in the world. This is what it is about – it is about all of us ensuring that we assist to create wealth in each and every corner of this country. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, my Ministry has in the past – and continues to do so to date – provided facilitation and support for constituencies, different towns and so on, to showcase themselves in terms of the economic opportunities that are available. We welcome support of Members of Parliament to work with us to continuously help every corner of this country to be able to promote itself. I have a couple of last things to say. First, is the role of the different institutions that we are looking into. I know that a question has been asked, for instance, about the Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute (KIRDI). Right now, KIRDI is at the forefront of industrial research. So, if you go there, you will find that we are making bio- diesel from Mikinduri cotton tree. We are making vegetable oil from amaranath seeds and so on."
}