This morning the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) has conducted its second edition of the Exporters roundtable meeting at Movenpick Hotel.

The forum was attended by KNCCI’s members drawn from various sectors and who are majorly involved in exports to various destinations, various embassies and government agencies.

The Chamber 1st Vice President Dr. Erick Rutto commenced the forum by appreciating all the participants for attending the meeting, in his remarks he stated that KNCCI in collaboration with other agencies are committed to assisting the exporters bridge the gap through increase in exports from new and existing markets.

The Chamber President Mr. Richard Ngatia gave a presentation with an overview of KNCCI’s history and establishment since 1965.He emphasized on KNCCI’s role in trade development through key trade functions such as trade missions and trade facilitation system; which is the online platform that offers the Certificate of Origin for all exporters. He also gave an overview of Kenya’s export market noting the tremendous growth in the export of agricultural products including tea, coffee, fruits and vegetables.

Mr. Ngatia urged the participants to leverage on the MoU that was signed between KNCCI and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, to boost economic cooperation between the UAE and Kenya by stimulating international trade and investment flows, as well as supporting the business communities in the two countries.

He appreciated the relationship that KNCCI has built with the various embassies through the formation of Joint Business Councils (JBC) that have acted as a market link between Kenya and the various countries.

He concluded by giving KNCCI’s commitment to advocate for better trading environment, source for viable export markets and advocate for fair trade and intra Africa development.

PS State Department for Livestock, Kenya. Mr. Harry Kimtai, who was the chief guest during the forum expressed his gratitude to KNCCI leadership for organizing the exporter’s forum which is very crucial to the ministry. In his remarks to  participants, Mr. Kimtai said that the recently launched  Livestock Master Plan will support the implementation of the National Livestock Policy and guide investments into the Livestock sector which is an emerging area of export. He urged the private sector to invest in the sectors which have a huge export potential in order to meet the growing demand from new markets.

There was a panel session by various embassies to sensitize the participants on the various export markets.

  • Iranian Ambassador, H.E Jabber Barmaki who stated that Kenyan tea is popular in Iran and especially orthodox tea. Iran is ready to absorb 100% of all Kenya’s production of orthodox tea.
  • Ambassador of Belarus to Kenya H.E. Pavel Vziatkin stated that Kenyan flowers are one of the major exports to Belarus.
  • The representative of Egyptian Embassy in Kenya sensitized the public to be part of the incoming and outgoing trade missions to Egypt in order to strengthen the trade relations between the two countries.

The second panel discussion was  on exports regulations which was attended by representatives from MSEA, KEBS, KRA, KEPROBA and KEPHIS.

The third and the final discussion was on understanding the export business which was attended by representatives from RSA Africa, EPZ, UBA Bank led by the Chamber 2nd Vice President Ms. Fatma Elmaawy.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry appreciates all the participants for being part of the forum and looks forward to a mutual relationship between KNCCI and all the agencies present.