{"id":804876,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/804876/?format=json","text_counter":154,"type":"other","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"our iron and steel industry are facing stiff competition from imported cheap and subsidised iron and steel products. In order to protect the local iron and steel industries, I have increased the rate of import duty from 25 per cent to 35 per cent in a wide range of steel and iron products which are available in the region. Kenya has sufficient capacity to produce some paper and paper products which require protection. To protect manufacturers of these products, I have increased the rate of import duty from 25 per cent to 35 per cent on some paper and paper board produced in the region. Our textile and footwear sector are closing down due to increased unfair competition from cheap imported textiles and footwear, as well as second hand clothing and footwear. In order to encourage local production and create jobs for our youth in the sector, I have introduced a specific rate of import duty of USD $ 5 per unit or 35 per cent whichever is higher. This should guard against undervaluation. To protect the timber and furniture industry from proliferation of cheap timber products and to enhance the local production, I have introduced a specific rate of duty of USD $110/Metric tonnes on particle board, USD$120/ Metric tonnes on medium density fibre board, USD$ 230/M3 on plywood and USD$ 200/MT on block boards, or an ad valorem duty of 35 per cent whichever is higher. Our local manufacturers have adequate capacity to manufacture vegetable oils to meet regional demand. To protect our local manufacturers from imported cheap vegetable oils, I have introduced a specific rate of USD $500/MT of 35 per cent whichever is higher. Pests and vectors continue to pose a great risk to crop and animal production. Despite our potential to produce pesticides and acaricides locally, we continue to import them. To encourage local production, I have allowed manufacturers of these products to import raw materials and inputs under the EAC duty remission scheme. Currently, the law provides for exemption of duty for some selected vehicles for the transport of tourists. To boost tourism and provide a platform to market our national brand worldwide, the exemption will now be expanded to include sightseeing buses and overland trucks imported by licensed tour operators. Majority of our people rely on firewood for cooking. This has a significant negative impact on our forests as well as adverse health effects. To make clean and healthy cooking methods, such as the use of cooking stoves affordable, and encourage local production of clean cooking stoves, inputs and raw materials for assembly of clean energy cooking stoves imported by local manufacturers will be imported under duty remission 100 per cent. This will promote local production of clean energy cooking stoves and make them more affordable. The EAC Common External Tariffs which sets out the rates of duty applicable on imported goods is undergoing a comprehensive review with the intention of enhancing protection The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."}