Friday, 2nd August 2024
Nairobi City County is set to unlock trade potential, increase revenue, and create a fair and conducive environment for trade development and investment promotion at both local and international levels by revising its Trade Policy.
Speaking at a meeting of internal stakeholders, County Executive Committee Member for Business and Hustler Opportunities, Ms. Maureen Njeri, said the revised policy, once ratified by the County Assembly following public participation and Cabinet approval, will take a holistic approach to promoting Wholesale Trade, Distribution, Retail Trade, and Informal Trade, Industrial development such as the common user facilities for MSMEs, supporting MSMEs through various interventions such as provision of dignified trading spaces, capacity building, access to credit financing through the Biashara Stimulus Programme, ensuring fair trading practices, developing and managing markets, and regulating all businesses including gaming, betting, and liquor.
“I also propose that cooperative development be anchored in this policy as a channel for financial support to micro and small enterprises,” said Maureen. “The County has faced challenges such as the mushrooming of unauthorized trading infrastructure such as modern kiosks, mainly also due to lack of statutory frameworks to regulate such facilities as well as low uptake of our trading infrastructure, this being the markets, noting the heavy investment in their development.”
Executive Njeri emphasized that to achieve the County’s vision, the Trade Policy must identify challenges and opportunities through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis. It should also align with national government policies and adhere to the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, on devolved functions and the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee’s (IGRTC) transferred and delineated functions.
Present at the meeting were County Chief Officers for Markets & Trade Jane Wangui and Business & Hustler Opportunities Zipporah Mwangi, representatives from the Legal department, Directors for; Donor Coordination & Stakeholders Engagement Kefa Omanga, Elizabeth Njau Trade & Industry, Joyce Kyengo Markets, Benedict Bwire Weight & Measures, Geoffrey Mwithimbu Betting & Gaming, Julius Karina MSME, Johnson Akongo Trade Licensing, and other officers.
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