India Expo at Kenya eyeing entire East Africa region trade

The Dollar Business Bureau “As Kenya is the gateway for entire East African region, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is giving more focus for bilateral trade and investment with it,” said Walter D’Souza, Regional Chairman, FIEO. Leading a high power trade delegation from India to Kenya for showcasing Indian products and services to the Kenyan market from March 27-30, 2015, D'Souza has urged Kenyan businessmen to experience excellent quality products and services made in India which, are also very price competitive. “High on the delegation’s agenda is finding ways to improve trade and investment in high tech areas of infrastructure, pharma, auto components, electronics, health care, Agro and Food,” said D’Souza and added, “Make in India policy of the new Government is expected to help in creating world class products and services with high cost efficiency. And, it is the opportune time for both the countries to identify potentials in thrust areas including auto and auto equipment, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and healthcare sectors.” Indian investments in Kenya are now worth US$ 1.5 billion and are expected to double in another five years. The visiting delegation participating in the three-day India Expo-2015 trade exhibition showcases several innovative products and services of more than 200 products including high fashion, auto components, pharma products, cosmetics, electronics,  agri machinery, food processing machinery, audio and hearing equipments, incense sticks, etc which are suitable to the African markets and third country exports. India also looks at Kenya as a better investment destination as the labour availability and its quality had seen improvement over the last few years. The bilateral trade between India & Kenya has registered an exponential growth during the last four years. It has risen from US$ 1.5 billion in 2009-2010 to US$ 4.17 billion and is growing, said D’Souza. India Expo-2015 was formally inaugurated by Yogeshwar Varma, High Commissioner of India to Kenya on March 27, 2015 at the Kenyata International convention centre (KICC) and was attended by Sushil Singal, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Kenya in the presence of Indian & Kenyan business community.    

This article was published on March 27, 2015.