Manufacturers Create A Directory Online For Their Products Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

KRA on Manufacturers

Coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on the manufacturing sector, one of the key drivers of the economy of Kenya, that has been at the heart of job creation and tax revenues to the government. The situation is proving to be more difficult as the government has encouraged the public to avoid social contacts and businesses to allow their workers to work from home as preventive measures against the virus.

The manufacturing sector is a labour-intensive industry and with ports of entries in the country closed, getting supplies for production and even selling their output to customers is constrained. To save the day, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has launched an online directory for locally manufactured goods where Kenyans can shop online to ensure that their businesses go on uninterrupted.

“We are forestalling disruptions in the market and the information provided is for readily available products and services in the manufacturing sector. This is an initiative by the manufacturing sector to make sure that consumers are aware of the products available during this difficult time. It consolidates all the members under the association and their products.

“It contains robust information for customers, investors, partners and the media. The public can explore the website and sign up for direct e-mails from the platform that will notify them on consumer news and new products by our members,” said KAM chief executive Phyllis Wakiaga.

On this portal, small and medium enterprises can source for raw materials and intermediate goods from local suppliers to avoid supply shortages, while individual and retail buyers can use contacts provided by the manufacturers to make purchases and pay via cashless platforms for the products to be delivered to their homes.

The directory will be updated regularly as more manufacturers provide information on how customers within Kenya and cross the east Africa region can purchase items on this platform.