Manufacturers
could be staring at cheaper raw materials should the government forge ahead
with proposed reforms on the Pre-Export Verification of
Conformity (PVoC) exemption framework.
Under the
proposal by Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Investments,
Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, the
government is considering reforms aimed at strengthening the Kenya Bureau of
Standards’ PVoC exemption framework in a bid to ease access to duty-free raw
materials for local manufacturers.
This initiative targets
the smoother importation of raw materials, industrial machinery, and spare
parts, aiming to reduce costs and lead times for manufacturers.
The PVoC
programme is a quality inspection system used to ensure imports meet Kenya’s
standards before they arrive at local ports.
"By easing regulatory
bottlenecks and prioritising quality as a national goal, we aim to create a
supportive environment for local businesses, drive innovation, and promote
inclusive economic growth,” said Kinyanjui.
While the
exemption is intended to facilitate legitimate importers, especially
manufacturers, industry players have complained about inefficiencies and
inconsistent application.
The
planned changes are expected to streamline the exemption process, reducing
delays and costs that have long frustrated industrial players seeking to import
critical inputs for production.
The CS challenged local
manufacturers to adopt higher quality standards through the Kenya Bureau of
Standards (KEBS)’ Diamond Mark of Quality, positioning it as a gateway to
improved market competitiveness and expanded trade opportunities.
“Through the quality
management frameworks of the Kenya Bureau of Standards, we empower Kenyan
industries to compete on a global scale. This, in turn, attracts foreign
investment and positions Kenya as a hub for quality-driven development in
Africa” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary
urged local manufacturers to work closely with KEBS to align their quality and
capacity so that they can take advantage of the vast trade opportunities within
the ACFTA.
KEBS Managing Director Esther
Ngari said since KEBS introduced the Diamond Mark of Quality in 1996, some
1,263 products, both local and international, have been awarded the Mark.
She however pointed out
that achieving the Diamond Mark was not an end in itself and there was a need
to continue strengthening our certification process by aligning it to the best
global practices, including ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
Surveillance, compliance
audits, and performance monitoring which are integral to preserving the
integrity of the Diamond Mark of Quality.
Principal Secretary in the
State Department of Industry, Juma Mukhwana, said harmonization of regional
quality standards had made it easier for local products to penetrate regional
markets with products bearing the Diamond Mark of Quality enjoying a
competitive edge.
He also observed that
Kenya’s certification scheme had gained widespread recognition within Africa
and beyond, which was helping boost the country’s opportunities for continental
trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
Kinyajui however urged the
local enterprises to invest in quality excellence so as to stand a chance of
playing at the continental and global level.
“In the pursuit of
sustainable development, our industries must adopt best practices and invest in
professional development to cultivate a culture where quality is not only a
standard to uphold but a value we live by”, he stated.
