With Covid-19 cases steadily rising across the world, there was a dire need to ensure sufficient stocks of personal protection equipment (PPEs) for frontline workers.
Covid-related disruptions, however, affected global supplies of the PPEs, starring action by local manufacturers who moved to bridge the shortage.
The Covid-19 health pandemic has caused massive disruptions in operations across the world, but one positive outcome from this experience is how local manufacturers have stepped up to fill in the gap.
With Covid-19 cases steadily rising across the world, there was a dire need to ensure sufficient stocks of personal protection equipment (PPEs) for frontline workers.
Covid-related disruptions, however, affected global supplies of the PPEs, starring action by local manufacturers who moved to bridge the shortage.
Importantly, what started as an intervention to develop PPEs that were affordable but still met national standards and international quality standards, now holds great promise for enterprise development in the country, as this will spark the awakening of the textile industry and cotton farming.
By creating a strong local manufacturing capacity in the country, a steady supply of PPEs will hedge against global supply chain disruptions while also supporting the national economy. This has provided a wakeup call to strengthen internal production systems, enhance self-reliance and advance prosperity through exports.
The collaboration between the private and public stakeholders continues to play a critical role in equipping local manufacturers to enhance the production of PPEs.
Funds channelled through the Kenya Covid-19 Fund Board have greatly aided in enhancing production and distribution of PPEs, which sets a precedent that these partnerships are important.
Through employing the capacity of local manufacturers, the impact of the donation has almost been tripled as costs that would have otherwise been incurred through importation have been significantly reduced.
This crisis has offered a glimpse of the potential and the impact that stakeholder synergy could have on the sector. Adequate training and education remain a core focus toward securing the future of the local manufacturing industry.
Sparking this industrial transformation aimed at job creation and achieving wholesome prosperity as a country, the manufacturing sector’s contribution is significant, and sustained efforts towards the growth of the sector could see increased contribution to GDP to 22 percent by 2022.
Health personnel remain centre-stage in the fight against Covid-19, and through these collaborative efforts, 68 major public hospitals across the country will progressively receive locally manufactured PPEs that have stood the test for international standard of quality.
In the local economy, manufacturing can be developed from the most basic level and, with Government support and that of other partners such as Equity Group, micro enterprises can drive the manufacturing industry to organic growth across all economic sectors.
To further provide an incentive for stakeholders to invest in the sector, there is a need for stable and predictable industrial policies developed through industrial consultation with sectoral stakeholders to raise access to markets, incentivising exporters, and promoting local infant industries.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
