A delegation from Indian leather companies are scouting for opportunities in the Kenyan leather sector. According to the Industrialisation Principal Secretary (PS), Betty Maina, the leather sector in Kenya contributes 0.3 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the partnership with India will try to improve the sector’s output.

The focus of this partnership is to increase leather, textile and apparel and the government feels it can collaborate with India to reduce the trade imbalance which is skewed in favour of India.

The Principal Secretaries (PSs) will soon organise a workshop to propose policies on the revitalisation of manufacturing with leather and footwear being some of the priority areas. The government will also create a market for local leather industry by ensuring that all footwear for the disciplined forces and the police is exclusively bought from local manufacturers.