Businessmen asked to diversify exports to Kenya

The High Commissioner of Kenya, Julius K. Bitok, has advised Pakistan's business and industrial community to seriously focus on diversifying their exports to Kenya in order to improve the meager trade volume between the two countries. Expressing worries over the limited trade volume between Pakistan and Kenya, he said that rice and tea were two main commodities which were traditionally being traded between the two countries. However, he added, there are a host of other Pakistani products which can be introduced into the Kenyan market and many other African markets via Kenya.
Exchanging views with the KCCI office-bearers during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he said that Kenya, being a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), can be used by the Pakistani business community to access a huge population of more than 400 million people in the COMESA region with 20 member-states.
He also underscored the need to promote tourism opportunities between the two countries and enhance linkages between the Nairobi Chamber and the Karachi Chamber which would bring the business communities of the two countries closer to each other and definitely yield positive results.
"The KCCI should hold business-to-business meetings with their counterparts in the Nairobi Chamber, either in Karachi or in Nairobi, and we will fully facilitate such meetings", he added. He was of the view that Kenya, being an economically stable country, was safe for Pakistani investors, as doing business was much easier in Kenya compared to other African states.
The World Bank has also issued a report recently in favour of Kenya which recognises it as the most suitable country in terms of ease of doing business, he said, adding that the Kenyan government offers one-stop shops where investors can register their businesses without any hassle.
He also invited the Karachi Chamber to participate in the forthcoming Third Africa Tea Convention and Exhibition scheduled to be held on 11th and 12th May in Nairobi. To a query, he said that visas were being issued by the High Commission within three days, whereas the Pakistani business community can obtain visas by applying through the High Commission, seek visa on arrival facility or opt to apply online. Replying to another query regarding exorbitant duties, he advised the Karachi Chamber to submit their proposals about reduction in duty on rice being imported from Pakistan so that any reduction or removal could be taken into consideration by the concerned authorities in Kenya.
KCCI president Shamim Ahmed Firpo said that Karachi, which is the economic and financial hub of Pakistan, offers profitable investment opportunities and added facilities for investment and joint ventures to Kenyan investors. He said that with improved law and order situation and upon completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Gwadar Port, this region is likely to attract a substantial amount of foreign investment from different parts of the world, whereas Kenya can also benefit from the situation by investing or by undertaking joint ventures.
He was of the view that Pakistan and Kenya have been enjoying good relations since the 1960s, when Pakistan expressed its support for Kenya in getting independence from British rule.
The bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Kenya are based on mutual cooperation, which is expanding with the passage of time. During Fiscal Year 2016, goods exported by Pakistan to Kenya fell by 12 percent to $252.27, million compared to $286.52 million in the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year. On the other hand, Pakistan's imports from Kenya increased by 40 percent to $389.01 million during FY16 as against imports of $277.90 million in FY15, he added.
He was of the view that there was a huge potential for enhancement of bilateral trade between Kenya and Pakistan. As Kenya is one of the largest countries in East Africa, Pakistan can export commodities like pharmaceutical and surgical items, sports goods and farm machinery.
Shamim Firpo underscored the fact that the Karachi Chamber wants to promote business, mutual understanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Kenya. "We also want to promote Kenyan investment and partnerships in Pakistan and do everything for the development of Pakistan-Kenya business cooperation," he added.