The Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Suchitra Durai has commissioned the modernization of Moi University-owned textile plant, Rivatex East Africa Limited, to spur production of textile products in the country and attract the global export market.

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The modernization exercise that kicked off in May this year is being financed by an Sh3 billion loan facility from the Exim Bank of India.

“This being an iconic factory, we have to ensure that the modernization work is done with precision. We hope that with the modernization of Rivatex, it will be able to produce products worth its name,” said Ms Durai at the Rivatex modernization progress ceremony held at the factory in Eldoret, Thursday.

Moi University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kosgey speaking during the event expressed Rivatex’s unwavering support of the Government’s Big Four Development Agenda.

Prof. Kosgey said when Rivatex received the bilateral loan of Sh3 billion in 2016 from Exim Bank of India for the purchase of new machinery and refurbishment of the entire factory; it afforded its management a sigh of relief.

“We do not take the support for granted and we promise to fully utilize it towards achieving the Government’s Big Four Development Agenda of making Kenya a manufacturing economy,” said Prof. Kosgey.

He also noted that the modernization of Rivatex will see the revival of cotton farming in the country and the creation of more employment in the textile sector.

Currently, the factory employs 600 people but with full modernization, the factory will create more than 1,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, hence providing a livelihood for more Kenyans.

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