Indian companies seek market for agricultural products in Kenya

An Indian delegation of 20 businesses, led by Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Suchitra Durai, has pitched camp in the country eager to market their products.

The delegation under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), an Indian marketing agency, has the sole mission of promoting Indian food products in Kenya.

“India has different food items to offer Kenya,” said Ms Suchitra Durai. “It also has excellent opportunities for Kenyan businessmen.”

She said the balance of trade between India and Kenya is skewed in favour of India.

“That’s why we want to also invite Kenyan businessmen to go to India in a reverse meet, so as to showcase their products there. By that, we can seek ways to reduce the huge deficit. President Uhuru Kenyatta has also invited Indian Premier Narendra Damodardas Modi to come to Nairobi and bolster bilateral trade between the two countries,” she added.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Kiprono Kittony also announced that eight MoUs have been signed between Kenya and India that will boost trade.

“The history between Kenya and India is cemented in the fact that in the 19th century, Indian manpower and resources were used to build the Kenya-Uganda railway which now stands as a hallmark of our good relations,” said Mr Kittony. “Kenya exports agricultural produce to India, and on February 10, I will lead a delegation of 20 of our businessmen to go to India to market our products,” he added.

Kittony noted that Kenyan exports to India are valued at Sh6.6 billion, while imports value at Sh116 billion. A deficit that favours India, and insisted that Kenyan businesses have to be more aggressive and assertive to be able to compete.

“Kenya has a competent human resource, good infrastructure and regarded highly by its neighbours who it supports. There is no impediment for it to do business and compete globally,” said Kittony.

He also urged the Indian businessmen present to consider investing in Kenya. The Indian delegation is in the country for two days, before jetting to Tanzania and completing its mission in DR Congo.