Govt focuses on replacing imports: Mori

THE Government is focused on replacing imports, starting with rice and then other commodities, Minister Commerce and Industry Wera Mori says.
In response to questions by Ijivitari MP Richard Masere on the costs of import, Mori said it was the Government’s primary focus to grow the economy and extend the economic base so focus shifted from extractive industries to other sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.
“We are starting with rice, which will be spread throughout the country and we are driving that. We are not producing enough for the local demand so we have to allow those quarters,” Mori said.
“My department is coming up with respective policies and one of those will be the special purpose economic vehicles which will be to drive what I’m getting at.
“The second issue is on oil palm, it is a product which we can refine in this country.
“The issue on producing tariffs like the recent dairy farm we produced in the country, we apply tariffs on those that are imported and we will do that to similar products that we produced in this country to give production to our infant industry.
“Importation of row materials is in force. I know that Customs do allow consideration. We can encourage people to come and build their factories here and create jobs and employments.
“Country to country trade, we have bilateral trade agreements with countries where we trade agreements in place. Now that we have the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation here, we would like to enter into more agreements with other countries so that we can enhance our opportunities in terms of growing the economy.”