India asks Kenya to cut tariffs on Indian textile imports

India on Tuesday demanded that Kenya reduce tariffs on Indian textile imports, especially man-made fiber textiles.

When India met with Kenyan Foreign Minister Chirauli Mwakwere, Indian Minister of Industry and Commerce Anand? Sharma said that the Kenyan government imposes high taxes and damages bilateral trade between the two countries.

Kenya imposes high import tariffs on imports of man-made fiber textiles from India.

For yarns and fabrics, Kenya imposes import tariffs of up to 25%, and tariffs on artificial fiber textiles reach 50%. In addition, Kenya also imposes a 16% value-added tax (VAT) on imported products.

Sharma is also India's textile minister. He invited Kenyan entrepreneurs to invest in India's textile sector.

He pointed out that 100% of foreign direct investment is allowed to enter the textile sector through an automatic route.

An official statement issued after the meeting said that during the meeting, Sharma asked for the expansion of cooperation between the trade institutions and chambers of commerce between the two countries so as to promote the growth of textile trade.

India's textile exports to Kenya amounted to 100 million U.S. dollars in 2010, compared with a value of 77 million U.S. dollars for the previous year.