The partnership will seek to;

• Support National Insurance intake in the Country
• Collaborate in advocacy issues in terms of cost of medication
• Develop a Pharmaceutical Industrial programs and Medical Tourism
• Introduce the innovative products that will target SMEs in the insurance sector to promote business survival.
• Form a Joint Business Venture with Chamber to support insurance sector to manage enterprise sector.

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The MoU, among other things, seeks to provide interventions that will cushion the population against floods, food shortages and interruption of essential services by the COVID- 19 Pandemic.

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Present during the meeting were;
1. Sakina Asman- KNCCI Communications Officer
2. Beatrice Kosgey- General Manger, legal Affairs and Company Secretary GDC
3. Dr. George Muia- general Manager, Research and Innovation GDC
4. Wanjiru Kamara- Manager, Corporate Communications GDC

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He highlighted a number of activities that we are undertaking such as; Training, hosting of virtual webinars on different topical areas, our engagement with Counties on enterprise survival mechanism and supply programs on essential services.

He went ahead and informed the meeting of our strategic partners with other stakeholders and financial institutions on our proposed partnership to cushion SMEs on cash flow issues and financial inclusion through trainings and skills development targeting 3million enterprises.

The Cabinet Secretary thanked the team for the courtesy call and the contribution of the Private sector to the national economy. He noted the role of Chamber in policy advocacy, enterprise development, attraction of investments and FDIs and the role of Chambers in the Counties.

He informed the team that to support COVID-19 recovery process through the budget allocation, there are various proposals to cushion SMEs through the SME credit guarantee scheme that will be used to widen access to credit. On the same note, treasury is keen to engage key stakeholders to proposals on how to improve the same scheme. In the meantime, he is engaging other stakeholders to buy in the scheme before the launch in July 2020.

Moving forward, he suggested that Chamber will be invited to have discussions on the proposed credit guarantee scheme. He also informed the team that the Treasury has introduced a micro pension scheme that will want to support small businesses on future savings and program is still under review.

He advised Chamber to be proactive on policy programs, engage ministry of Trade and Industry with key proposals that will support SMEs intervention with the possibility of Government support.

The CS concluded by saying that he is looking forward to working with Chamber on numerous program that will contribute to the national economy.

Accompanying the CP were, Chamber 2nd Vice President Fatma Elmaawy, Company Secretary Mr. Kihara Njuguna, Director Omar Sadiq, Elisha Godana, Hassan Wario, Chamber Chief Operating Officer Mr. Patrick Nyangweso and Onesmus Masinde.

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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.

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The ripple effect of COVID-19 on economic activities, livelihoods and food security in East Africa and the Great Lakes. Governments throughout the region moved swiftly to adopt far-reaching measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of international borders, movement restrictions, curfews and lockdowns.

While these measures appear to have curbed the pandemic’s progression, its negative repercussions have led to a near-total halt to air transport, tourism, agriculture and other extractive industry activities.

To discuss the impact of Covid-19 in Africa and the future of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Great Lakes Region Private Sector Forum organized a webinar session to discuss and identify opportunities for Covid-19 recovery mechanism and way forward for AfCFTA trade and integration.

To help consolidate the highlights KNCCI together with the fore mentioned partners brought on board panelist representatives from: Secretary General of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ms. Olive Kigongo; Chairman of the East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Mr. Kahotho; Director UNECA- Regional Integration and Trade Division, Mr. Stephen Karingi, PhD; Director, UNECA- ECA Sub-Regional Office for East Africa, Mama Keita, Senior Trade Advisor Ministry of Trade ,Mr. George DInda

Topics Discussed.

• Opportunities that AfCFTA presents
• Impact of Covid-19 on trade Facilitation and Performance in Africa
• Mechanism put in place to support regional markets and supply chain stabilization in the post Covid-19
• Possible Economic Stimulus and Fiscal measures taken to cushion businesses
• Critical economic sectors that needs priority in the Covid-19 recovery process
• Impact of Covid-19 on the EAC businesses and the Government Responses
• Post Covid-19 economic recovery measures that needs to be implemented to support private sector to contribute to the AfCFTA and Trade Integration Agenda

1. Opportunities that AfCFTA presents

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement presents Africa with a unique opportunity to unleash its economic potential for inclusive growth and sustainable development.  It aims to promote agricultural transformation and growth in Africa and contribute to food security, as well as improve competitiveness through regional agricultural value chains development and incentivize critical investments in production and marketing infrastructure.

In his opening remarks, the UNECA Regional Director, Integration and Trade Division, Dr. Stephen Karingi stated that that AfCFTA has the potential to deepen not only the regional integration of the continent but also has allowed the African countries to do more of value addition in the production processes. According to UNECA, it is estimated that by 2020, AfCFTA will increase significantly and that two-thirds of this increase would be on value addition.

Dr. Karingi, said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could help mitigate effects of COVID-19, especially on pharmaceuticals and food stuffs.

“A rapid and ambitious implementation of the AfCFTA will go a long way in hastening the recovery from COVID-19 impacts, while cushioning Africa against future adverse effects of shocks such as this,” said Dr. Karingi.

Africa spends billions on drugs annually and depends heavily on China and other countries in Europe and Asia for its pharmaceutical supply, some of which are badly affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Karingi said African countries could start manufacturing the drugs themselves, which would not only be cheaper, but would also help secure the quality and safety of supply; and contribute to financial sustainability as import bills are increasing across the continent.

AfCFTA had agreed on five priority services – financial services, communication, transport, tourism and business services – and will engage in the negotiations through a request and offer process to make specific sector commitments. Due to Covid-19 the member’s states are now re negotiating to add services such as E-commerce, Health and Digital Education.

In the ensuing discussion, the EACCIA Chairman, Mr. Kahotho echoed that critical role KNCCI has to play for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA agenda. Mandated to facilitate trade, KNCCI must see that during this time of the pandemic, trade must be facilitated so that jobs can be created and also to see that we add value to our natural resources.

2. Possible Economic Stimulus and Fiscal measures taken to cushion businesses

The UNECA – ECA Sub – Regional Office for East Africa, Mama Keita stated that the Covid -19 crisis has shown the role that the state must play in the development process in the respective countries. Most countries are now rising to the challenge and cushioning businesses through the following measures:

• A liquidity be made available to the private sector to ensure the continuity of essential purchases and all SMEs that are dependent on trade can continue to function.
• Emergency economic stimulus.
• Waiver of all interest payments
• Flexibility in taxation
• Payments of areas to private sectors
• And Government provision of guarantors to SMEs
• Subsidies

3. Critical economic sectors that needs priority in the Covid-19 recovery process

• Health
• Tourism
• Logistics
• Constructions
• Domestic markets
• Agriculture

4. Mechanism put in place to support regional markets and supply chain stabilization in the post Covid-19

According to the Ugandan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General, Ms. Brenda, Uganda Has put the following measures;

• Support to domestic markets and encouragement of consumption of domestic goods
• Allowing movement of essential goods and services by not restricting the logistic industry
• Ensuring that there are adequate storage facilities to cushion spoilage of perishable goods
• Encouraging value addition to the agricultural sector products

5. Impact of Covid-19 on the EAC businesses and the Government Responses

• Inadequate access to sourcing raw materials
• Facing cross border restrictions
• Decline of Export market
• Decline in sales

6. Post Covid-19 economic recovery measures that needs to be implemented to support private sector to contribute to the AfCFTA and Trade Integration Agenda.

• Consumption of local products
• Securing the demand and supply for locally produced goods
• Support innovation, manufacturing
• African Countries should trade amongst themselves
• There must be access to liquidity and new financial means in the future
• Deepen and strengthen the African financial markets
• Resource mobilization
• Ensuring competitiveness amongst African countries
• Deepening regional value chain

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The meeting was held to discuss the following:

Collaborative support on relief, both health and economic targeting vulnerable populations and SMEs with greater focus on post Covid-19

• Roll out Interventions that will cushion population against the current floods, food shortage and interruption of normal essential services by the Covid-19 Pandemic
• Support public health education, preparedness and measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19
• Strengthening the capacity of businesses on continuity and survival of SMEs
• Improve food nutrition security, and improve the quality of natural resources and ecosystem services amongst others.

The delegation agreed to engage further and to commit on the level of implementation of the MoU in the next 3 years in order to deliver on its expected outcome.

They expressed satisfaction over the MoU scope of cooperation and implementation matrix.

They agreed to consider expediting the finalization of this MoU, expressing gratitude to KNCCI and HRI for offering its consent in this regard.

The meeting agreed to endeavor to revert by Monday 18th May 2020 on the process of internal consultations by respective organizations based on the discussions of the meeting.

The meeting was grace by Hon. Abdul Bahari Ali, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and ASAL.

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As a follow up, the two entities today 13th May 2020 held a consultative meeting to discuss and align on how to leverage synergies.

Attending the inception meeting were the bank’s Chief Commercial Officer Polycarp Igathe, KNCCI President Mr. Richard Ngatia, KNCCI CEO Ms. Angela Ndambuki, Rose Mwaura, Chairperson KNCCI legal and Regulatory Committee and Chairman –ICPAK and Mr. Sam Omukoko, the Group Managing Director and CEO Metropol Corporation.

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• The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in mass production shutdowns and supply chain disruptions due to various port closures causing global ripple effects across all economic sectors.
• Africa is now feeling the economic impact of the virus and plans to control and manage the challenges of COVID-19 are underway across the continent. Economically, the effects have already been felt in that demand for Africa’s raw materials and commodities has declined and Africa’s access to industrial components and manufactured goods from the region has been hampered. Adding to the supply chain challenges are the travel restrictions that have been imposed by several African countries. This is causing further uncertainty in a continent already grappling with widespread geopolitical and economic instability.
• The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) I collaboration with representatives from various stakeholders, on April 29, 2020 held a webinar and open discussion to deliberate on the Impact of Corona Virus pandemic on international Trade.
• The panelists for this session were: Mr. Robin George-Partner and Associate, Director, The Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Mark Priestley, Senior Director, Trade Logistic Cluster, Trademark East Africa, Mr. Job Wanjohi, Head of Policy and Research, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Mr. William W Zhou, Chairman, Kenya Chinese of Commerce and Mr. Michael Gathu, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Chamber of Commerce Kenya. The session was moderated by KNCCI President. Mr. Richard Ngatia.
• In light of this, the discussions revolved around the following key agenda items:
• The Impact of Covid-19 on foreign trade.
• How countries can promote and reposition themselves for foreign direct investment opportunities in the post Covid 19 period.
• Supportive role Chambers play in promoting international trade in this covid 19 crisis
• Post Covid-19 trade facilitation measures
• How to strengthen and stabilize supply chain and cross boarder businesses during this crisis
• How Africa can accelerate and build manufacturing and industrial transformation agenda in post covid 19 period
• Practical steps countries can employ to support post covid 19 economic recovery and resilience mechanism.

1. The Impact of Covid-19 on foreign trade.

• There is no doubt that the pandemic has resulted in a very large cut in foreign trade as a result of falling global demand, both for economically, for consumption as well as investments.
• Global trade in 2015 to 2018 improved significantly from 15. 7 trillion USD to 18.2 trillion USD, evidenced in key continental blocs, that is USA – EU and ASIA -EU, however, Arica did not benefit much from it.
• In his opening remarks, Partner and Associate Director, the Boston Consulting Group said that global trade is likely to decline significantly for the next 3 to 4 years, with recovery probably picking up in 2023.
• According to World Trade Organization (WTO) global trade volumes are projected to decline between 13% and 32% in 2020
• The Boston Consulting Group modelling suggests that GDP growth rate is likely to fall back up to between 1% to 6% as a result of the economic impact of covid 19.

2. How countries can promote and reposition themselves for foreign direct investment opportunities in the post Covid 19 period.

• In his remarks, Michael Gathu, CEO Dubai Chamber of Commerce Kenya stated that the pandemic has impacted heavily on Foreign Direct Investment, disruption of supply chain, evaluation of companies and job cuts. However, governments have established economic stimulus to support businesses.
• He went on to say, for counties to be able to reposition themselves for post covid 19, there is need for governments and private sectors to rethink on key responsive sectors that could boost the economy across the globe. This however, may depend on the response rate of each country’s covid 19 measures and mechanisms.

3. Supportive role Chambers play in promoting international trade in this covid 19 crisis

• The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global economic crisis impacting or threatening to impact businesses all over the world. Chambers of Commerce as trusted institutions around the globe, private sector partner to business, governments and international organizations are working tirelessly by developing tools for business and policymakers, in line with its commitments to help chart an effective international response to promote international trade during this pandemic.
• Speaking during the virtual meeting, Mr. William Zhou, Chairman Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce said that, the Chinese Chamber is working closely with KNCCI and other organizations to provide alternative markets, market information, establishment of cooperative networks, supporting key sectors i.e Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Manufacturing and support Kenya in exporting and importing from China to continue supporting international trade.
• To combat the potential surging demand for medical supplies and equipment in Africa, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Kenya in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy and medical institutions has donated masks, and Patient Protection Equipment (PPEs) to those in need.

4. Post Covid-19 trade facilitation measures

• Mark Priestley, Senior Director Trade Logistics Clusters, Trademark East Africa said that through Trademark East Africa’s Safe Trade Emergency Facility, The UK and other partners are supporting hygiene measures and technology to ensure supplies, including food and medicines can continuously flow through boarders and ports.
• Trademark East Africa is also looking at innovative ways to link suppliers to buyers through e-commerce to ensure that the supply chain is not disrupted.
• Trademark East Africa has put in place the following measures:
• Diversification supply chain to help reboot the economy
• Introduction of tracking apps to enable them track all trucks that supply essential services and to also reduce friction at the boarder by ensuring that the truck drivers are corona free.
• Raisin awareness along critical supply chains
• Putting safety mechanisms along the critical supply chain
• Development of Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks to provide place for textiles and garments sectors to be located in these zones.
• Have a targeted set intervention to support key export sectors and supply chains, ie Horticulture, logistics, ICT, E-commerce and Tourism.

5. How Africa can accelerate and build manufacturing and industrial transformation agenda in post covid 19 period

• Mr Job Wanjohi highlighted that Africa is a bit challenged in terms of competitiveness in trade and manufacturing in Africa imports around 80% of their inputs and there is a need to adapt import substitution programs. He said that Africa is looking on how it can sustain the production through Value chain integration from sourcing of raw materials to local manufacturing to sourcing of African markets leading to a lot of investments and job creations.

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According to a joint statement released last week by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations (KNFJKA), the startups will leverage on a new government initiative to boost their productivity as part of a post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the Government will engage Medium and small enterprises (MSEs) in the manufacture of basic medical equipment.

The equipment will be supplied to local hospitals and will also be exported. KNFJKA Chief Executive Richard Muteti asked his lobby members to liaise with county chamber offices to enable them participate in the tender bidding process.

Mr Muteti also asked KNFJKA members to liaise with county governments on how they can obtain interest free State loans.

Richard Ngatia, the KNCCI president, agreed that it is time Jua Kali artisans were allowed to play an important role in the country’s manufacturing sector.

“This is an opportunity to enhance the Jua Kali sector,” said Mr Ngatia.

Uhuru late last month said some Sh1.5 billion would be used in an initiative to help local startups participate in the boosting of healthcare.

The Jua Kali sector, the president said, would take centre stage in the production of medical equipment.

Muteti noted that as Covid-19 continues to ravage the country and the rest of the world, the Jua Kali sector has been on the forefront in coming up with innovations that are sealing gaps in the local medical supply chain.

“The Jua Kali sector in Kenya is currently making every effort to be part of a solution to the current pandemic,” said Muteti.

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