Manufacturers have launched standards aimed at enhancing efficiency and accountability at the ports and border points in the country.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) seek to ensure better and more efficient entry operations to facilitate trade and enhance the fight against illicit trade.
The SOPs will provide a one-stop reference for all Government agencies tasked with ensuring efficiency and accountability in the inspection, verification, and clearance of imported cargo at the port and points of entry in Kenya.
KAM chairman Mucai Kunyiha said enhanced public and private sector partnerships will go a long way in ensuring that there is sustainability in the fight against the various forms of illicit trade in Kenya.
‘The lack of harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) emerged as a major bottleneck in the execution of various anti-illicit trade enforcement operations in the country,’’ Kunyiha said.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade, and Enterprise Development Betty Maina highlighted the government’s commitment to sustain the fight against illicit trade in the country, adding that the vice poses a great threat to the realisation of the Government’s Big 4 Agenda.
“The development of these SOPs is therefore an integral part of a successful quality system. They will provide information to perform a job properly and consistently to achieve pre-determined specification and a quality end-result,’ Maina said.
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She assured the private sector of the government’s commitment to continue enhancing efficiencies and accountability during the inspection, verification, and clearance of imported goods at our ports of entry.
“Sustaining the fight against various forms of illicit trade shall enhance the realisation of the Government’s Big 4 Agenda,’ she said.
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