Pakistan investors seek trade deals in Kenya

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Prof. Julius Kibet Bitok (centre) with Pakistan chamber of commerce officials in Islamabad. FILE PHOTO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • The investors who arrived in the country on Monday said their mission will take three days.
  • Kenya and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations spanning several decades.
  • Pakistan is currently the leading importer of Kenyan products and more than 80 per cent of the rice imported into Kenya comes from Pakistan.

A delegation of Pakistan traders, including tycoons from Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), have pitched tent in Kenya in search of investment and trade deals.

The investors who arrived in the country on Monday said their mission will take three days.

“The 15-member Gujarat Chamber delegation led by their president Mr Abrar Saeed Sheikh will be in Kenya for three days, they will have roundtable business discussions with potential investors in the country as they scout for trade deals in agribusiness, leather, textile, jeweler, electrical appliances and furniture in the country,” said Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chief executive Angela Ndambuki.

Ms Ndambuki said that during their stay in the country, the delegation from GCCI will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KNCCI to promote trade between the two countries.

Kenya and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations spanning several decades.

Leading importer

Pakistan is currently the leading importer of Kenyan products and more than 80 per cent of the rice imported into Kenya comes from Pakistan.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that in 2016, Kenya’s total exports to Pakistan dropped to $178.19 million from $186.87 million in 2015.

The total imports from Pakistan increased from $359.03 million in 2015 to $394.65 million in 2016.

The total volume of trade between the two countries stood at $572.84 million in 2016, in favour of Pakistan.

PAYE Tax Calculator

Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.