Kenya hit by rise in hide smuggling - leatherbiz: Leading news site fo Leatherbiz

News

Kenya hit by rise in hide smuggling

12/02/2018
The Tanners Association of Kenya has said smuggling of hides and skins to China is costing governments in the East African Community (EAC) around $30 million in lost tax each year, according to local media reports.

The chief executive of the Kenya Leather Development Authority, Dr Issack Noor, explained that the Kenyan government has increased export tax from 40% to 80% to encourage domestic value addition. This has increased smuggling, however, which is affecting tax revenue. 

Kenya has made the leather industry a central part of its new five-year economic plan. It aims to create 50,000 new jobs in the sector and increase export revenue by $500 million by 2022. It also wants to grow domestic shoe production to 20 million pairs and establish 5,000 new cottage industries. 

Related stories:

Kenya raw hide traders call for a review of export duty 08/07/2019
Kenya tannery project revived thanks to international backing 19/12/2018
Cooperation is key to the future of Kenya’s leather industry 19/11/2018
New Kenyan tannery starts operations 08/11/2018
Kenyan leather body wants tanners to discard poor quality hides 27/09/2018
Leather secures funding in latest Kenya budget 21/06/2018
Kenyan government has high hopes for leather industry 09/04/2018
Kenya takes leather seriously in five-year plan 31/01/2018
Leather plays a part in Kenya’s job creation strategy 15/12/2017
Re-elected president commits to Kenyan leather 01/12/2017
Kenya looks to bolster raw material supply 13/10/2017
Kenyan government sets aside money for leather parks 06/04/2017

Leatherbiz.com cannot be held responsible for content if the language setting is changed from English.

The translations provided by Google Translate are automated and therefore might not be accurate and may contain incorrect, offensive or misleading language. We offer this facility as a guide only.