India-Kenya Trade To Focus on MSMEs

India and Kenya discussed a range of trade related bilateral issues, including the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), during the 8th meeting of India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee was held in Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu and Mr. Peter Munya, Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Government of Kenya.

The discussions during the meetings covered India’s contribution to the implementation of Kenya’s Big Four Agenda – food security, affordable housing, universal health care, and manufacturing.

In addition, the meeting also discussed issues like expansion and diversification of bilateral trade, Kenya’s readiness to join the International Solar Alliance, implementation of Lines of Credit, of over US$ 220 million, extended by Government of India in power transmission, SMEs development, and training & capacity building programmes offered by India.             

In his address to the Kenyan and Indian business leaders, Suresh Prabhu emphasized on research and design in products specific to Kenyan needs and urged Indian businesses to carry out a market study to identify priority areas for bilateral cooperation.

The Commerce Minister also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora and apprised them about the various developmental initiatives and achievements of the Government of India.  

During the visit, Prabhu called on the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Deputy President, Mr. William Ruto. The Commerce Minister, Suresh Prabhu, was accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and a business delegation.

India and Kenya are Indian Ocean neighbours and share longstanding trade and people-to-people contacts.