Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival which has attracted over 200 exhibitors at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has called on shopper to take advantage of the festival get quality products at discounted prices.
This is part of the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative intended to brew manufacturing sector in the country, with the government aiming the sector to deliver 15 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Underscoring the significance of locally manufactured products which aligns with the 'buy Kenya build Kenya strategy' which seeks addresses the imbalance between the consumption of locally-produced goods and imported products.
The principal secretary of State Department for Industry Juma Mukhwana stated on the rhyming quality of products that are locally produced and emphasized the need of producing more for direct export to USA, Europe, Africa, and other markets.
"As a government we will continue working with local manufacturing players to create a conducive business environment to increase the contribution to GDP by the manufacturing sector from the current 7.2 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030," said Mukhwana.
The timing of the festival is crucial as it coincides with the government's efforts to promote the embrace of locally-manufactured products as a means of boosting both the economy and the manufacturing sector.
Notably, according to data from the Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the manufacturing sector in Kenya is the second-largest employer, providing jobs to approximately 352,000 individuals after the private sector.
"As an industry, we aim to dismantle the long-held belief that local goods are not of high quality and to reduce over-reliance on imports," said Chair of KAM Rajan Shah
During the inauguration, KAM Chief Executive Anthony Mwangi, affirmed the vital role of local manufacturing in Kenya's economy.
"Changamka festival resonates with our national fabric and emerges as a unique brand that will serve as a reminder to all Kenyans to embrace local industry's authenticity and ingenuity, today and in the future," said Mwangi.
Over the years, KAM has championed the cause of promoting locally-manufactured goods and dispelling the myth that local products are more expensive than imports.
