Investment, Trade and Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards cracking down on counterfeit goods.

The CS asked entrepreneurs to shun counterfeits and focus on selling only genuine products.

Miano (pictured) who was speaking yesterday during the CITAM business exhibition in Karen, Nairobi said the government was determined to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive but urged them to help in the fight against counterfeits in the country by selling genuine products.

“As entrepreneurs guided by faith, you are change agents in society. Upholding ethical standards will affirm your change agency status and distinguish you as the “salt of the earth.”

“You will fulfil that by ensuring your scales are not tampered with, that you build and maintain a humane culture in your workplaces, by giving to Caesar what belongs to him and by trading only in genuine products. If you walk that path, you will claim a revered place and spread good cheer right across Kenya’s entire business arena,’ she said.

Miano’s statement comes in the wake of the ongoing crackdown on counterfeits by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) across the country. The CS said the government had made a conscious decision to eliminate all counterfeit goods from the market to protect legitimate manufacturers.

Regarding Micro and Small Medium Enterprises, Miano said the government is set to increase the share of manufacturing sector contribution to GDP from seven per cent to 20 per cent by 2030.

  Besides, the government intends to increase the share of exports to GDP to 30 per cent from the current 10 per cent.  “You will grow your enterprise if you intend to come on board. Moreover, the Kenya Kwanza administration is focused on increasing Foreign Direct Income from the current $500 million to $10 billion annually.”