United Nations backed summit launched in Kenya

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Trade Ministry on Wednesday launched the Second Manufacturing Summit and Expo backed by the United Nations (UN).

The summit has as the theme “Driving Local Competitiveness to Make Kenya a Manufacturing Hub for Africa.’’

The Summit and Expo seeks to promote Buy Kenya, Build Kenya, showcase local content, establish market, financial linkages and promote innovation in industry.

KAM Chairperson Flora Mutahi said that the event was an opportunity for industry and stakeholders to come up with innovative ways on transforming the nation.

She said the transformation was through industrialisation and promoting of local industries for industrial growth, job and wealth creation.

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“With over 1,000 participants and over 90 exhibitors, the conference will enhance dialogue between manufacturers, policy makers and development partners to transform Kenya’s industrialisation agenda,’’ Mutahi said.

She added that growing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to 15 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product of the Kenyan economy remained a primary focus for the industry.

“This expo is therefore an opportunity to drive our sector toward this goal and ultimately increase the competitiveness of locally manufactured products in local, regional and international markets.’’

Adan Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Trade said that government was keen on growing Kenya’s economy by providing high quality jobs and enhancing Kenya’s wealth creation objectives.

“The Vision 2030 sets apart the manufacturing sector as a key actor for the development of the country’s economy which has seen Public-Private Partnerships as one of the ways Kenya can achieve sustainable competitiveness,’’ Mohamed said.