Kenya seeks to further boost trade with Oman
Opex 2018 in Kenya will provide Omani businessmen with the opportunity to have access to various investment opportunities available in Kenya.
Times News Service
MUSCAT: In an interview, Kiprono Kittony, National Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry, expressed his country’s interest in the Omani market and its keenness to make use of the Omani Products Exhibition (Opex) 2018 in Kenya from October 29 to November 1, 2018. Excerpts:
How important is the visit of the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Sultanate?
The aim of our visit to the Sultanate is to increase trade cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, I met with Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Oman; Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and the Opex Committee. We discussed the participation of Omani businessmen at the event in Kenya from October 29 to November 1, 2018
What are your views on the nature of trade cooperation between the Sultanate and the Republic of Kenya?
Oman is a major trading partner and the relations between the two countries are deep-rooted with a history that extends over 500 years now. We are happy to be here to increase the investments bilaterally. The trade volume between the two countries is currently at US$65 million. Oman exports oil, aluminium and glass products to Kenya, while Kenya’s exports include traditional wood, tea, coffee, pulses, and milk products, besides medicines. Moreover, there is now direct air transport between Muscat and Nairobi and we want to maximise the benefit of this direct air transport.
What opportunities can Opex expect from the Kenyan market?
The most important opportunities for Opex in Kenya are information technology (IT), oil and gas, and human resources (HR). Opex will provide Omani businessmen with the opportunity to have access to various investment opportunities available in Kenya.
What aspects of cooperation can be worked out between the Kenyan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the OCCI?
We have an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the OCCI and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and are currently preparing the final draft for a new MoU between the two chambers.
How can the Kenyan Chamber of Commerce contribute to the success of the Opex exhibition?
The Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry will provide a wide range of services and facilities to ensure the success of Opex 2018. We will facilitate a partnership between the Omani and Kenyan companies and will provide for the visit of the high-level delegation from Oman to Kenya. We will extend all the possible support to enhance cooperation between the two countries and use various media and social networking platforms to market the prestigious event.
What is your overall impression of the Sultanate’s market and the meetings you have conducted?
The results of our meetings were very positive and we look forward to holding an exhibition of Kenyan products in the Sultanate in 2019. There are two vital commercial lines between the Republic of Kenya and the Sultanate, one of which is a maritime connecting a number of ports in both countries and the second is the air route connecting the two capitals.