Strengthening Kenya-UK Manufacturing Ties

Monday 29/07/2024: Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP to 20% by 2030 through the Kenya Manufacturing 20BY30 Plan. The Association has identified export-led industrialization as a critical pillar in driving this growth, as outlined in the Plan and the Manufacturing Priority Agenda for 2024.

Earlier today, the Kenya High Commissioner-Designate to the United Kingdom (UK) Amb. Catherine Kirumba Karemu, paid a courtesy visit to KAM Chief Executive Anthony Mwangi. They discussed ways to strengthen relations between Kenya and the UK, particularly in the manufacturing sector. They explored how Kenya can leverage its competitiveness to unlock opportunities in the UK market through the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.

Kenya has several preferential trade agreements, such as the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, which offer significant opportunities for growth.

Discussions also focused on growing trade and investment within the provisions of the Kenya-UK Free Trade Agreement, leveraging opportunities presented by the Commonwealth, fostering B2B linkages, and encouraging peer-to-peer learning between Kenyan and UK businesses and manufacturers, among other initiatives.