The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on 26th June,2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Governors (COG) to promote mutual co-operation and understanding between county governments and the business community. Under the agreement, both parties will undertake joint activities in trade and investment, business policy reforms, capacity building, information sharing, and technical programmes.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chamber President Richard Ngatia said, “The agreement will provide a platform to support and strengthen trade and investment programmes across the counties”.

He further went on to say, “This is an opportunity for KNCCI County Chapters and County Governments to access precise and accurate information to promote business partnerships, understand business procedures and the applicable laws in the counties,” he said.

In his remarks COG Chairman, H.E Honorable Wycliffe Oparanya expressed his delight with the engagement of the KNCCI county chambers in support of business amidst COVID-19. He went on to say, “With the capacity within KNCCI we can work together address to develop a harmonized taxation regime.” “COG will continue to collaborate with KNCCI to revive all those SMEs affected by this pandemic as we are about to re-open our economy,” he said.

During the meeting H.E. Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya appointed the Chamber President, Richard Ngatia as the Special Business Advisor to the COG on matters Trade and Investment, to ensure tax harmonization within the counties creating an enabling environment for SMEs post COVID-19.

The agreement will also see the Chamber get precise and accurate information to promote business partnerships, understand methods and procedures for doing business in the counties and the prevailing laws and regulations and the most important investments opportunities.

It will also seek to support and take joint activities in trade and investment, business policy reforms, capacity building, information sharing, joint technical programmes and activities among others.

The Chamber first signed an MoU with the Council of Governors in 2015 with significant achievements and milestone in the undertakings such as: carrying out Joint Investment and Trade Conferences in almost 16  Counties; Jointly conducted business forums in 38 Counties, jointly participated as a key partner and stakeholder in the County Devolution Conferences and also Implemented key policy, advocacy and business reforms programme in the counties.