“87.23 per cent of manufacturers foresee a shortage in their finished product within the next three months,” Wakiaga told the Star. Top imports from China, include electrical equipment and accessories, mechanical appliances, nuclear reactors, railway or tramway locomotives, iron and steel, furniture and textile. With the disruption in China, mainly as a result of coronavirus, 26.09 per cent of manufacturers have resorted to other export markets outside China while 23.91 per cent of manufacturers downsized their production capacity. Manufacturers are seeking up to Sh27 billion in VAT refunds to help them remain afloat. Last Friday the government started disbursing Sh13 billion owed in pending bills and a further Sh10 billion tax refunds as part of Covid-19 economic stimulus to boost manufacturers and suppliers.

Source: The Star April 29, 2020 00:56 UTC