The government has been urged to impose tough conditions on imported goods in order to safeguard jobs and increase creativity among the youthful population.
The Chairman of Micro and Small Enterprises (SMEs) in Nakuru County, Johnson Ndegwa said, it was unfair to give exporters tough conditions then allow the dumping of all sorts of goods in the country.
He was speaking today during a monthly meeting of SMEs at a Nakuru hotel.
Ndegwa gave an example of 60 stringent conditions, which the avocado farmers are expected to comply with before exporting the fruits to the lucrative market of China, and yet the same doesn’t apply to their goods when imported into the country.
He appealed to the government to reconsider the importation of milk, eggs and fruits to the country, since the local farmers have the capacity of producing all those products as long as they are supported.
Ndegwa said importation of minor items such as knives, which he said the local jua kali sector was capable of making and increase jobs for the youth.
Also, he appealed to SMEs to carry out business with a sense of patriotism instead of struggling on a daily basis to bring into the country contraband goods through illegal means.
Ndegwa said farming is the mainstay of the economy and has the capacity of employing over 60 per cent of the population as long as goods, which would easily be produced locally, were not allowed into the country.
He urged the young and upcoming businessmen to carry out business with commitment and devotion by paying taxes on time and supporting the government.
By Veronica Bosibori
