A Bill seeking to tilt the market in favour of genuine products sold in Kenya is to be reintroduced in Parliament, putting importers of counterfeit goods on notice.

Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey said he had already signed the Anti-Counterfeiting Bill 2008 for tabling and discussion in Parliament. He said it would be enacted by the end of the year, giving more teeth to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) in its war against counterfeit goods in the Kenyan market.

"Our aim is to make the brand - 'Made in Kenya' - a mark of quality and trust in the international market," Mr Kosgey said during the launch of Kebs' five-year strategic plan.

Enactment of the law would be music to the ears of local manufacturers facing the threat of substandard imports in the market.

The Bill had been brought to the 9th Parliament during its sunset days and only managed to go through the first reading. Under Parliamentary procedures, a law has to be introduced again if Parliament is dissolved as was done ahead of the General Elections last year.

The law seeks to enhance Kenya's standing as an investment destination where the market for quality products is not eroded by shoddy goods. The law and Kebs strategic plan will enhance its capacity to ensure quality products.

Kebs' 2007 - 2012 strategic plan unveiled yesterday sets out to establish a National Quality Institute, a National Accreditation Service and an expansion of the technical coverage of standards development from 3 to 9 by 2009.

Kebs managing director Dr Kioko Mang'eli said the bureau would raise the product and import compliance levels to 80 per cent and expand its accreditation scope by 15 per cent.