Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 30th January, 2020 held a matchmaking initiative aimed at bringing Kenyan and Qatar companies together to discuss Bilateral Private Sector Cooperation.

The event which took place at Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel offered both Kenyan and Qatari business representatives from the private sector exposure to potential opportunities aiming to increase their footprints in both countries.

The push for the flower exports to the Middle East was one of the proposals that officials put on the table during the forum. “We want to have direct flower auction to Doha, which is four hours from here,” said Ms Fatma Elmaavy, second vice president of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Investment.

“We are honored at Qatar Development Bank to organize this initiative, and we are certain that it will be of great benefit for both Qatari and Kenyan businesses alike,” said Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Executive Director of Export Development and Promotion of Qatar Development Bank.

Pius Rotich, general manager of Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) stated that Kenya is prioritizing the industrial sector because of its huge transformative effect on the economy.

“Kenya has put in place a number of policy and tax incentives that will make it attractive for Qatari investors to set up manufacturing plants to produce goods for local and export markets,” Rotich said during the Qatar Development Bank-Kenya Matchmaking event.

The forum, organised by Qatar Development Bank led by its executive director for export development and promotion Hamad Salem Mejegheer, seeks to increase bilateral trade between the two counties currently estimated at Sh4.1 billion.

The day-long conference provided a platform for 20 Qatari companies to meet their Kenyan counterparts.