Kenyan Government to Address Challenges Faced by Steel Industry

2 July 2015

The Kenyan government is committed to addressing challenges faced by local steel manufacturing companies to reduce local content prices, says Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary (Minister) Adan Mohammed.

The on-going efforts to reform the business environment will fast track the manufacturing process for steel manufacturers, he said during the launch of the 1.07 billion shillings (about US$11 million) steel plant at the Maisha Mabati Ltd Ruiru in Kiambu County near here Wednesday.

The government, he added, was keen to protect Kenya's local manufactures by sealing loopholes that contribute, through imports of steel, to Kenya's 36 billion shilling (about US$362 million) trade deficit.

Referring to illicit imports and illegal dumping of steel in the country, Mohammed said anti-counterfeit and standards agencies, in collaboration with Kenya Revenue Authority, had increased their import inspection capacity at the ports of entry to ensure that the declaration of goods met quality standards.

He reiterated the government's target to encourage purchase of Made in Kenya products in infrastructural projects in the country, "Kenyan mega projects currently require supplies of steel and iron products, which bode well with Government's commitment to pass the 'Buy Kenya, Build Kenya' policy into law to set local content requirements for all public procurement," said Mohammed.

 

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