Kenya loses over Sh30 billion in revenue annually as a result of
tax evasion, counterfeiting and unlicensed products, President Uhuru
Kenyatta has told Parliament.
Mr Kenyatta says the
Anti-Counterfeit Agency seized goods worth Sh1.7 billion in 2017 and
destroyed counterfeit products worth over Sh700 million.
“Tax
evasion, counterfeiting and unlicensed products like alcoholic and
illicit brews in circulation in Kenya is denying the economy over Sh30
billion in annual revenue,” Mr Kenyatta said in a report on the State of
the Nation’s Security that he tabled in Parliament when he addressed
MPs during his annual State of the Nation’s Address last week.
He said counterfeiting affects employment, leads to loss of jobs and lowers foreign direct investment.
“The impact of counterfeits spans very broad scope ranging from
consumer goods, cosmetics, automotive parts and pharmaceutical products,
among others,” Mr Kenyatta said in the report.
He said
Kenya’s geopolitical position and robust economic environment makes it
attractive both as a transit route and destination for counterfeits and
illicit trade.
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