Nairobi — Trade and Investment Cabinet Moses Kuria says the government has set aside 17 acres of space and is now urging small-scale traders to apply to be allocated stalls in the area dubbed Kenya Square.

Kuria took to his Twitter handle to make the announcement which he said exclusively targets 'Kenyan Hustler Traders.

He however, said the facility will strictly be for products produced in Kenya.

Kuria had last week gazetted three pieces of land in Kwale, Mombasa, and Machakos counties respectively as Export Processing Zones.

An EPZ is a customs area where one is allowed to import plant, machinery, equipment, and material for the manufacture of export goods under security, without payment of duty.

Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Kuria has in the last two weeks sparked mixed reactions following his remarks in which he stated that he wanted China Square out of the Kenyan market.

China Square subsequently announced that the shop will remain closed indefinitely from February 26, to allow time to sort out a number of issues.

In a notice on its official Facebook page on Sunday, the retailer said the provision of sufficient security is among the issues to be addressed during the closure period.