BRAND KENYA YATUA JIJINI DAR ES SALAAM .....

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya in the United Republic of Tanzania Amb. Dan Kazungu on Monday received a high- level trade mission from Kenya’s Export and Branding Agency, Brand.KE. The trade delegation was led by the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Peter Biwott. The trade mission is in Dar es salaam to hold consultations with key Tanzanian trade and investment promotion organisations in a bid to promote and enhance bilateral trade between Kenya and Tanzania. These include Tanzania Trade and Development Authority (TANTRADE), Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).

Kenya’s High Commissioner Amb. Dan Kazungu with Mr. Peter Biwott, CEO of Brand.KE holding discussions during the latter’s visit at the Kenya High Commission on Monday9th March 2020

While welcoming the delegation, Amb. Dan Kazungu mentioned that 48 percent of intra East African Community (EAC) trade occurs between Kenya and Tanzania which is an indication of the interdependence that exists between the two countries. He added that there is need for both Kenyans and Tanzanians to cooperate even more for shared prosperity.

On his part, Mr. Biwott said that it was a high time that Kenyans and Tanzanians focused more on cross border trade that would boost each other’s economies more as opposed to seeking foreign markets whose returns were much lower. Mr. Biwott also noted that Kenya and Tanzania are unique countries with vast opportunities ranging from agriculture, infrastructure, services, mining, logistics and the blue economy. In addition, there are opportunities for Kenyan companies in the financial service sector. These opportunities can be seized through partnerships with Tanzanian companies.

Brand.KE is a State Corporation established under the State Corporations Act Cap 446 through Legal Notice No.110 of August 9th, 2019 after the merger of the Export Promotion Council and Brand Kenya Board. The Brand.KE mandate is to implement export promotion and nation branding initiatives and policies to promote Kenya’s export of goods and services.

Brand.KE CEO Mr. Peter Biwott signing the visitor’s book at the Kenya High Commission. With him is Kenya’s High Commissioner Amb. Dan Kazungu

Kenyan companies, through Brand.KE, will participate in the 44^th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) slated for June and July 2020. Brand.KE has reserved a substantive number of booths for this years’ event that promises Kenyan high-level participation and a showcase of how trade and investment is undertaken in the East African region and beyond.

The DITF presents Kenyan companies to invest in Tanzania as well as export their goods and services while at the same time, offering opportunities to the Tanzanian private sector in so far as market and product diversification is concerned. Thus, participation in the Trade Fair will enhance trade, investment and tourism with a view to promote accelerated economic growth and development between the two countries and East Africa as well as the African continent.

Brand.KE in conjunction with the Kenya High Commission Dar es Salaam will organize a high-level business forum, an elaborate diaspora engagement and high-level participation at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) between March and July 2020. The trade mission will focus its activities in four regions in its bid to boost the distribution channel of Kenyan goods in Tanzania. These include: - Mwanza (Mwanza region), Arusha and Moshi (Kilimanjaro region), Dar es Salaam (Dar es Salaam and Coast regions) and Mbeya (Southern region).

Brand.KE are also planning a second visit that will focus on developing an elaborate distribution channel for Kenyan goods in Dodoma (Central Tanzania) and Zanzibar in a carefully conceived and deliberate strategy to promote Kenyan exports in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Amb. Dan Kazungu receives a gift from Mr. Peter Biwott, CEO of Brand.KE at the Kenya High Commission on Monday 9^th March 2020

The Kenya High Commission in Dar es Salaam is upbeat that these efforts will improve the trade performance that stands at Kshs 33.5 billion in January 2020, up from Kshs 28 billion in 2018.