In partnership with Textile and Apparel firms under the Export Processing Zones programme has been a tremendous success since it first rolled out in end of March this year that saw over 50,000 garments sold in of three days. [Photo/courtesy]
Nairobi residents stand the final chance to purchase export quality clothes at extremely affordable price this year with a return of the popular four day Clothing Super Sale Exhibition.
Fresh off successful Mombasa and Nyeri sale circuits, the return to Nairobi has been influenced by public demand.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment the Sale will be extended by a day from June 17-21st breaking the three day tradition, to accommodate the many Kenyans that missed out last time around and new shoppers itching to capitalise on this unique opportunity.
“As a government we are excited to see the big sale come back to the capital as it will allow Kenyan’s the opportunity to access world class brands at extremely affordable prices as we seek to grow the local textile and apparel industry,” said the Industry, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed.
In partnership with Textile and Apparel firms under the Export Processing Zones programme has been a tremendous success since it first rolled out in end of March this year that saw over 50,000 garments sold in of three days.
Speaking ahead of the Sale, Pankaj Bedi, a representative of United Aryan, one of the exhibitors said the Kenyans should anticipate a well-coordinated event.
“The government’s agreement with textile firms in the EPZ zones to provide clothes tax free is an investment that will pay off for the country in coming years as more foreign companies will want to capitalize on Kenya’ s vibrant incentive-based textile sector,” said Pankaj.
The exhibition has already attracted a record 250,000 Kenyans over the three phases in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nyeri. Plans are underway to take the Sale to Kisumu and Eldoret in July.
Brands like Hela Clothing that exports for Calvin Klein, Victoria Secrets, Tommy Hilfiger and other licensed brands owned by US clothing conglomerate Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (PVH Corp) will once again be in attendance at the exhibition.
The initiative that is set to expand the textile value chain exponentially will potentially create 100,000 new jobs from the current 179,000 the sector employs and provide the opportunity for the country to progress further than the Kshs 4 Billion the industry posted in 2016.
The government is banking on labor-intensive low-tech industries such as textile as part of the realization of the ‘Buy Kenyan, Build Kenya’ policy as we continue to reduce on imported second hand products that country brought in to the tune of Kshs 60 billion last year.