KNCCI President Richard Nga’tia, 1st and 2nd Chamber Vice President Dr. Ruto and Fatma Elmaawy respectively held a meeting with H.E. Elizabeth Taylor Jay Colombian Ambassador to Kenya on 21st November, 2019. The aim of the meeting was to discuss a potential bilateral action plan to be carried out between KNCCI and other potential commercial institutions in Colombia and Kenya in the framework of enhancing commercial relationships and opportunities in the two countries.

In 2017 KNCCI and Bogota Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing a general framework for, and to facilitate cooperation between, KNCCI and Bogota Chamber in promoting the economic development and enhancing trade linkages between Kenya and Colombia.

In June 2019, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) organized a trade mission to Bogota, Colombia scouting for trade opportunities for Kenyan businesses in promising emerging markets. This mission has made the Latin America to recognize the immense potential in the emerging markets of Africa and is working diligently to penetrate newer markets within the African continent.

Kenya can benefit from Colombia mining sector, Coffee, export-oriented agricultural sector ICT, Agricultural machinery, bananas, emeralds, cut flowers, and a diversified industrial base. On the other hand Colombia imports industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels and electricity.

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing is one of the pillars under the Big 4 Agenda. H. E Elizabeth Taylor stated that Kenya should borrow from Colombia Social housing Programme (Mi Casa Ya: My House Now) which has so far seen Colombia building up to 2 million affordable houses and 20,000 free housing for very poor people. Chamber President Mr. Richard Nga’tia stated that Kenya should collaborate with Colombian companies to enable get quality and innovative construction materials.

Tourism

Colombia is one of the largest tourist attraction countries in the world and attracts over 6 million tourist every year. The Ambassador suggested that Kenya should ensure that they have good branding through brand Kenya to Market its tourism sector, link their tourism products to the livelihood of the people, create confidence in the country, have value addition to their lakes and have good tourism infrastructure.