KAM CEO’s Brief | 15 September 2017

KAM links TVET graduates with Industry

Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with German Corporation for International Development (GIZ) held a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Job Fair on 14th September 2017 as part of the organization’s goal to bridge the skills gap in the country.

Since the launch of the TVET Programme earlier in the year, KAM has worked with TVET institutions and Industry to place 290 technical skills graduates in various companies in Nairobi, Central, Nakuru and Coast regions and trained an additional 350 graduates on work readiness in preparation for industrial placement…Read More>>

For more information contact: tvet@kam.co.ke

Prompt payment report to assist in sector regulation

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperative, Mr. Adan Mohamed received a prompt payment study report commissioned by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with Suppliers Association of Kenya and Retail Trade Association of Kenya (Retrak) on 13th September 2017.

The report is an overview of the retail sector aimed at highlighting current challenges and proposing measures to address them.

CS Adan Mohamed pointed out that the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Cooperatives is keen on developing new regulations that address issues undermining the growth of the retail sector. “The retail sector is an important sector for us on many fronts and we want to make sure that anything that undermines the development and growth of this sector is addressed,,” added Mr. Mohamed.

Among the challenges identified by manufacturers and suppliers include delayed payments and bouncing cheques, unjust return of goods, transfer of commercial risks, refusal to receive specifically ordered goods and misuse of private labels leading to unfair competition.

The study’s recommended way forward include:

• The development of Retail Trade Sector Prompt Payment Regulation, implemented under the provision of the National Trade Policy on ‘Enabling Legal and Regulatory Framework’ for the Retail Sector.
• The development of the Retail Trade Sector Code of Practice anchored on the Regulation, using International Best Practice.

Kenya – Tanzania Bilateral Trade Meeting Held

Kenya Association of Manufacturers participated in the bilateral technical meeting between Kenya and Tanzania on 6th – 8th September 2017 aimed at enhancing and easing bilateral trade between the two countries.

Issues raised were in relation to retail sector, customs, freight forwarding, market access, administration bottlenecks and implementation of the relevant East African Community (EAC) directives.

The meeting further noted the smooth flow of trade between the two countries, and that the Presidential Directives regarding the smooth flow of of LPG, Wheat flour, milk and milk products have been implemented.

Among other things agreed upon include:

• The management of Uchumi and Nakumatt Supermarkets should work with their suppliers to come up with a roadmap on how to settle the outstanding payments, and policy measures should be instituted to ensure that the retail sectors do not face recurrence of similar challenges.
• To implement the SCT System in order to speed up clearance of goods, in particular perishable goods
• To speed up the development and adoption of regional cargo tracking system
• To encourage chiefs of immigration services in the two countries to convene a meeting aimed at resolving immigration issues between the countries
• To conduct verification exercise on lubricants, edible oils, cement and textiles produced outside EPZs in order to ascertain origin of product, and fair competition issues on textiles in particular
• To ratify and implement EAC SPS Protocol, which requires EAC partner states to establish regulatory institutions and harmonize SPS control measures. KEBS and TFTA to cooperate on harmonization of SPS measures

Wheat Farmers and Millers meeting

A sideline meeting for wheat farmers and millers from Tanzania and Kenya was also held to jointly discuss measure to support wheat farming in both countries.

The meeting agreed to prioritize wheat produced locally in order to support the farmers. While the Namanga Agreement stands, Millers agreed to voluntarily mop up wheat produced locally (Kenya & Tanzania) before importing from outside the region.

The meetings were co-chaired by Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Dr. Chris Kiptoo and Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Prof. Adolf Mkenda.

For more information or any clarification kindly contact: Maria.Limo@kam.co.ke.