The Exporter - Dec 2020

DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

THE EXPORTER The Exporter is a monthly publication of the Kenya Export Promotion Branding Agency

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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

Capacity Building for KEPROBA Staff The Public Relations society of Kenya held their annual PRSK Summit in Mombasa, Kenya from 1st to 4th December, where Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency team was in attendance.

The theme of the summit was Building Trust and Stakeholder Value during Times of Uncertainty.

The conversations were meant to guide communicators through overcoming the various challenges brought about by the COVID- 19 pandemic in order to achieve organizational Success.

Some of the KEPROBA Officers who attended the PRSK Summit

Facilitating Product Development and Branding for Export Machakos County Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency team kicked off an instructive training workshop in Machakos County on 3rd December aimed towards facilitating product developments in order to meet the Export market. The Workshop targeted enterprises dealing in the 19 identified key product categories. The workshop is in collaboration with The University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Numerical Machining Complex Participants received one on one sessions with the specialists and their products will be assessed to receive feedback on product improvement and product line extension based on information shared during the workshop sessions.

Facilitators share insights with Enterprises during the instructive Training conducted by the KEPROBA team in Machakos County

DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE Nyandarua County Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency is continued with the Product Development Instructive Training Workshops in Nyandarua County. Over 30 enterprises across various sectors including agribusiness, textiles, flowers and soaps & detergents were trained on export readiness, standards compliance and product branding with the MadeinKenya mark.

Enterprises participants in Nyandarua County

Eldoret The Enterprises from the 3 counties: Uasin Gishu, Turkana and Trans Nzoia converged in Eldoret to attend the instructive training workshop organized by the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency. The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency team assessed the export potential of products from enterprises in attendance.

The Product development program is aimed at increasing Kenya’s export basket in terms of variety and supply and ensuring that the products meet the required standards for the export markets.

Participants at the Instructive Training workshop in Eldoret being trained on how to improve the packaging of their products

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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPS) STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP

The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency had a session with the National Assembly committee on Trade Industry and Cooperatives at a retreat in Mombasa.

The MPs noted The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency is doing much in pushing local products into the international market and the focus needs to shift into value addition.

Some of the Members of parliament in attendance included: Hon. Andrew Mwadime, MP, Taita Taveta Hon. Daniel Maanzo, MP, Makueni and Hon. Anab Mohamed Gure, Women Rep Garissa County.

Ongoing Discussions between the Members of Parliament, KEPROBA Board Members Ms Kathleen Kihanya, Mr. Mark Bichachi and KEPROBA’s management team

DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE EXPO 2020 DUBAI

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The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency team led by the Board chair Mr. Jas Bedi, and the CEO Dr. Wilfred Marube were part of the delegation sent to Dubai to assess Kenya’s preparedness towards Expo 2020 Dubai. The delegation led by CAS Lawrence Karanja aims to build and strengthen networks with key stakeholders as a way of deepening Kenya’s bilateral relations in the United Arab Emirates, exploring export opportunities for #MadeInKenya goods in the market.

The Kenyan delegation meeting with the Dubai Chamber President and CEO Mr. Hamad Buamim.

MEDIA BRIEFING ON THE KENYA – UK ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The need to speak to Kenyans and provide some background to how the trade deal was agreed upon, how the trade ministry got to that point and what is in store for them was fulfilled during a media briefing. Trade CS Betty Maina held a media briefing on the newly signed UK Economic Partnership Agreement. Safeguarding Kenya's trade interests in the market post-Brexit. Kenya Export Promotion and branding agency board member Mr. Mark Bichachi spoke at the briefing on how the agency can help the public in their exporting needs.

Trade CS Betty Maina briefing the press on the newly signed Kenya- United Kingom Trade agreement

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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT FORUM Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency in partnership with Kenya Media Council hosted a media engagement forum. The aim was to provide a platform for capacity building on media reporting on international trade and nation branding initiatives.

The Kenya Media Council engaging with the KEPROBA team on the role of the media in Nation Branding.

KEPROBA VISITS THE KENYA MARITIME AUTHORITY (KMA) ON POTENTIAL AREAS OF COLLABORATION The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency visited the Kenya Maritime Authority to discuss areas of collaboration. KMA ensures sustainable safe, secure, clean and efficient water transport for the benefit of stakeholders through effective regulation, coordination and oversight.

Dr .Wilfred Marube and KEPROBA is briefed by the the Kenya Maritime team

DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE MULTI SECTOR CROSS BORDER TRADE ENGAGEMENTS The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency team met with the different stakeholders at the Lunga Lunga one border post station. Discussions focused on exploring areas of collaboration in facilitating export trade at the border post. The engagements were centred on: • • •

Transparency and harmonisation of regional statistics Full implementation of the East African community treaty and the East African common market Elimination of non tariff barriers and simplification of the trade regime

EXPORTERS PAIN AREAS ALLEVIATION FORUM In a bid to address and understand the challenges faced by exporters, The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency conducted a session on pain areas alleviation where the traders aired their concerns and the various trade facilitation bottlenecks, during the Trade Facilitation and Pain Areas Alleviation Forum at held at the Voyager Beach Resort in Mombasa County. The areas highlighted were Logistics and products registration with Kenya Bereau of Standards, Concession in the East Africa Community on trade ,Movement of trucks with hinderances at the border points and Registration of trademarks and intellectual property rights for traders

Traders airing their views during the Pain alleviation sessions held at Voyager Hotel, Mombasa

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DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

E-COMMERCE FOR KENYAN EXPORTS Taking cognizance of the effects of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activities, The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency intends to partner with Ecommerce sites such as @AlibabaGroup@amazon, @JumiaKenya and @JD_Corporate to promote Kenya’s exports. Log on to www.brand.ke

Quote of the Week: “Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” --Vince Lombardi

DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE

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