04.11.06
l KENYA: Unilever says it is losing millions of dollars annually to counterfeiters, and has appealed to government officials to enact laws with stiffer penalties. The manufacturer of branded foods and home and personal care products say current laws are too weak to deter criminals.
“We appeal to government to pass laws with punitive penalties because we feel the current sentence are lenient,” said Dominic Kimani, Unilever foods marketing manager for East Africa. On top of losing out on sales, the company is incurring expenses in promotions and taxes.
Unilever has established an internal security department and is working with ministry of Trade and Industry, Kenya Bureau of Standards, police and Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The company is now forced to distribute its goods directly to retailers to cut off the counterfeits and ensure traders differentiate genuine products from fakes.
“We appeal to government to pass laws with punitive penalties because we feel the current sentence are lenient,” said Dominic Kimani, Unilever foods marketing manager for East Africa. On top of losing out on sales, the company is incurring expenses in promotions and taxes.
Unilever has established an internal security department and is working with ministry of Trade and Industry, Kenya Bureau of Standards, police and Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The company is now forced to distribute its goods directly to retailers to cut off the counterfeits and ensure traders differentiate genuine products from fakes.