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Amid rising bilateral trade with the UAE, Kenya -- the commercial powerhouse of East Africa – is trying to open up new channels of trade between the two countries.
In a recent meeting with Mr. Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Kariuki Mugwe, Consul General of Kenya, discussed strengthening trade ties and explored opportunities of cooperation.
“Kenya is a strong trade partner of the UAE. Together we can assist the business communities from the both countries to take advantage of trade and investment opportunities,” said Mr. Midfa after the meeting.
Stronger trade ties will help the UAE and the regional business community to tap into Kenya which is seen as East Africa’s regional trade and finance hub. With bilateral trade between Kenya and the UAE reaching close to US$1 billion in 2012, there is enough potential to boost trade between the two sides.
Kenya has been a strategic partner of the UAE since long, prompting the country’s private sector to invest in Kenya’s aviation, mining, education, renewable energy, oil & gas and manufacturing sectors.
The Kenyan side also explored possibilities of taking part in some of the trade fairs organised by Expo Centre Sharjah, with special focus on shows like the Halal Middle East Exhibition and Congress.
“Kenyan distributors are active in the regional Halal market. The Kenyan Halal industry is looking at spreading its wings to source as well as market their own products. The UAE, which is aiming at becoming a major global Halal hub, offers high potential and the Halal Middle East will be an ideal platform for Kenyan businesses to explore the market over here,” added Mr. Midfa.
The 3rd OIC Halal Middle East Exhibition & Congress is scheduled to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 8 to 10, 2014. For its previous edition in 2013, Halal Middle East saw an impressive rise in industry participation from across the globe on the back of the growing role of the UAE as a hub of Islamic economy.
“We also discussed possibilities of inviting trade delegations from Kenya to the shows at Expo Centre Sharjah. Since our shows cover a wide spectrum of industries and have impressive regional as well as global participation, it will be a great opportunity for Kenyan buyers to source their requirements as well as explore joint ventures and distribution channels,” added Mr. Midfa.
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