High Commissioner of Republic of Kenya Professor Julius Kibet Bitok has said on Monday that in view of huge potential efforts must be made from Pakistan and Kenya to increase the existing bilateral trade volume of around US $600 millions to somewhere between US $1 billion to 2 billions in the next couple of years. Speaking to a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he emphasised that the business communities of both sides needed to be encouraged.
"We must focus on trade delegations' visits along with participation in trade fairs in order to attain positive results," the High Commissioner said adding that Pakistan and Kenya had been enjoying cordial relations which were mainly driven by improved trade from Karachi which was the focal point between the business communities of the two countries.
Underscoring the need to diversify exports he said that currently trade between the two countries remained limited to traditional items with Kenya mostly importing Basmati rice from Pakistan whereas Pakistan usually importing tea from Kenya.
"Pakistani business community can also benefit from Kenya's strategic location which gives easy access to different markets in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and many other important countries in the region," he said. Extending full support and cooperation to the business and industrial community of Karachi in facilitating their visits to Kenya, he said that many Pakistanis were living and successfully doing business in Kenya. He said Kenyans very much available with a view to build strong bilateral relations between the business communities of the two countries.
Mr Julius Bitok also invited the Karachi Chamber to participate in Nairobi International Trade Fair scheduled to be organised in Nairobi from September 29 to October 5, 2016 in which exhibitors from many countries around the world would also be participating.
"This exhibition displays a wide spectrum products and services and it will certainly be an effective platform for promoting Pakistani products in the African region," he said
President KCCI Younus Muhammad Bashir said that Karachi offered immense opportunities for joint ventures to Kenyan business community. He said that Karachi Chamber was keen to strengthen trade ties exploring new bilateral trade prospects.
"Pakistan can export its pharmaceutical and surgical items, sport goods and farm machinery whereas our exporters can also approach the Kenyan market of 150 million people for increasing exports of Knitted and Non-Knitted Articles of Apparel and Accessories", he said. The KCCI President pointed out that during Fiscal Year 2015, Pakistan exported goods worth US $286 millions to Kenya whereas its imports stood at US $278 millions.
Younus further underscored the need to improve Chamber-to-Chamber linkages, encourage trade promotional activities, undertake trade and investment delegations' visits and organise trade fairs and exhibitions in both countries which would bring the business communities of Pakistan and Kenya closer. Senior Vice President KCCI Zia Ahmed Khan, Vice President Muhammad Naeem Sharif, Honorary Consul General of Kenya Muhammad Hanif Janoo, Former SVP KCCI Shamim Ahmed Firpo and KCCI Managing Committee members were present at the meeting.