In a crucial step to enhance Kenya’s textile and apparel industry, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), headed by CEO Ms. Floice Mukabana, along with the Kenya Investment Authority (KENINVEST) team, engaged with Mr. Bryan Chen, General Manager of Shangcheng Kenya Apparel EPZ Limited. The conversations focused on promoting cooperation to enhance innovation, economic expansion, and employment opportunities in Kenya’s flourishing textile sector.
Shangcheng Kenya Apparel EPZ Limited, a significant entity in Kenya’s clothing manufacturing industry, presently hires 3,000 young people from Kenya and manufactures an assortment of premium fabrics, featuring the well-known IZOD-approved Schoolwear. With a significant emphasis on quality and efficiency, the company has positioned itself as a vital player in Kenya's economic growth.
Enhancing Opportunities for Work and Development
Shangcheng Kenya Apparel EPZ Limited intends to significantly grow its operations by launching a bigger factory next year, expected to generate more than 10,000 new jobs. This growth will not only boost job prospects for Kenyans, especially the youth, but also enhance the nation's status as a regional center for textile and clothing production.
While addressing the meeting, KEPROBA’s CEO Ms. Floice Mukabana highlighted the necessity of cooperation among crucial stakeholders to realize Kenya’s economic potential. Ms. Floice Mukabana noted that Shangcheng’s strategy to broaden its operations aligns seamlessly with Kenya’s development objectives. She further stated that the partnership signifies a new phase for Kenya’s textile industry by generating employment, boosting exports, and encouraging innovation.
Kenya's Increasing Impact on International Textile Markets
Shangcheng Kenya Apparel EPZ Limited underscores Kenya's increasing significance in the global textile industry, with 90% of its products shipped to the United States. Utilizing Kenya’s advantageous trade agreements and the #MadeInKenya initiative, the company is highlighting domestically made products that comply with international quality and reliability standards.
The achievements of companies like Shangcheng in exports highlight Kenya’s potential to compete on a global scale, while generating valuable economic prospects for local communities.
Fostering Innovation and Economic Growth
The partnership between KEPROBA, KENINVEST, and Shangcheng Kenya Apparel EPZ Limited demonstrates a collective dedication to promoting economic change. By forging collaborations such as this, stakeholders can unite efforts to:
- Increase Employment: Expanding operations generates additional job opportunities, especially for young people in Kenya.
- Boost Export Capabilities: Assist local producers in fulfilling the increasing demand for high-quality textiles in international markets.
- Foster Innovation: Support the integration of cutting-edge manufacturing techniques and systems to enhance efficiency and product standards.
A Move Towards Kenya’s Economic Change
The partnership marks a crucial advancement in synchronizing private sector development with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Through the creation of thousands of jobs, fostering innovation, and boosting exports, the textile industry remains crucial to Kenya’s industrial growth and economic progress besides showcasing Kenya’s capability to draw in investments, promote development, and establish itself as a significant competitor in the worldwide textile market.