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{
    "id": 599273,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/599273/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 60,
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    "content": "Lastly, the hon. Senator asked about the specific measures the Government has put in place to ensure that local manufacturing is empowered to fully utilise the available raw hides and skins for the benefit of the country. The leather sector has been identified as one of the priority sectors for industrial development. The recently launched Kenya Industrial Transformation Programme (KITP) targets the leather sector and proposes strategies for processing of finished leather and leather goods for the creation of additional 35,000 direct jobs in the next five years and between US$150 million to US$250 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution. In addition, it will contribute to substituting a portion of US$86 million in shoe imports yearly. The Ministry, with the support from the World Bank, has undertaken a value chain study where the Leather Industry: Diagnosis, Strategy and Action Plan Report, was developed and its implementation has been started. To counter the growth of imports, the Government has established an inter-agency committee comprising the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Leather Development Council (KLDC), the Kenya Anti- Counterfeit Agency and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Enterprise Development. The Committee will liaise in standards enforcements, identifying counterfeit footwear and ensuring appropriate taxes are paid on imports. Proposals have also been made on import declaration so that all imported footwear is declared by pairs but not weight to ensure appropriate taxes are paid. The KLDC is looking for ways to tie importation of used footwear to a quota system based on local production shortfalls. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the last question was about what the Government is doing to ensure that local manufacturing is empowered to fully utilise the available raw hides and skins for the benefit of the country. The Government identified the leather sector as a priority industry for development. Since then, there are strategies that have been initiated to accelerate its development. The Government, in implementing these strategies, has put in place particular interventions at the various levels of leather value chain. These interventions will ensure the industry regains its glory. The Government is putting in place specific measures which are:- (1) Empowering the SMEs which currently account for over 50 per cent of local production."
}