KIPPRA held a Kenya Economic Report 2022 sectoral dissemination workshop, focusing on building resilience for manufacturing and trade sectors, on 6th June 2023. The aim of the workshop was to present overviews of the two chapters, including their status, key findings and recommendations, and provide a platform for stakeholder dialogue.
Among the organizations represented in the forum include Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Machakos County Trade, Kiambu County, Communications Authority of Kenya, Makueni County, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Development Corporation, National Council for Persons with Disabilities and Ministry of Energy.
Some of the issues that came up during the plenary discussions include the need to investigate pricing system as most commodities are unaffordable; satisfaction of the local market first before focusing on exports; investigation of dismal performance of manufacturing sector; importance of maintaining diplomatic relations in sustaining trade; importance of stability of neighboring countries in trade sustainability; building the capacity of our traders to meet the standards; diversification of exports; adding value to products; diversification of destinations; well-researched and firm standpoints in negotiations to avoid lop-sided agreements; and need to focus on a shared vision as far as trade and manufacturing are concerned.
