By Macharia Kamau
A local textile manufacturer is seeking to recruit Kenyans in the
diaspora to act as its agents in the overseas markets to grow exports.
Nguo Yetu, an export processing zone (EPZ) company, said it is planning
to engage Kenyans who work and live abroad in expanding its distribution
footprint.
Nguo Yetu, which employs 300, also plans to get into partnerships with foreign companies in certain strategic markets.
Among the markets the company hopes to make inroads into while working
with Kenyans in the diaspora, include the US. The market has
preferential treatment for apparel and textile products by most African
countries through its Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
“You (Kenyan in diaspora) can be our global distributor. Just register
on our e-commerce site, walk into your next door retailer (in their
respective countries and cities) and introduce yourself as a licensed
distributor of one of the largest Kenya apparel manufacturer,” said
Sheila Muirara, chief executive of Nguo Yetu.
"You can take advantage of such trade agreements like Agoa which
guarantees Kenyan apparel entry into the US market duty free and quota
free. Make money while building your country and helping create
employment through the largest locally owned apparel maker at the EPZ.”
According to the Economic Survey, Kenyan firms exporting textiles and
apparels to the US under Agoa earned a combined Sh46 billion in 2019.
According to data from the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA),
there were 24 companies operating at the EPZs and employed 49,000
Kenyans as of last year.
“Our main objective is to create opportunities for Kenyans as well as
project Kenya as a hub for manufacturing globally,” said Muirara.
Nguo Yetu is among firms that upped their manufacturing capability to
make personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by health workers as
the country battled coronavirus.
The firms said it has received the necessary approvals for the manufacture of its
affordably priced PPEs.
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