Nairobi: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), through the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), organized the UAE-Kenya Trade and Investment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. This event marked the initial phase of its trade mission to Kenya and Uganda, aiming to fortify trade relations between the two countries.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum highlighted potential investment prospects in Sharjah and Kenya, emphasizing cooperation and trade enhancement between their private sectors. The event witnessed the presence of key figures such as Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Hon. Salim Mvurya, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry; and H.E Ronald Mero, Chief Economic Policy Officer at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
Other notable attendees included Mohamed Rashid Ali Demas and Nasir Musabeh Ahmed Al Tunaiji, SCCI Board Members, and Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI
. The forum facilitated discussions on bilateral partnership frameworks, providing a platform for fostering connections across various industrial and commercial sectors.
The UAE-Kenya Trade and Investment Forum also hosted one-on-one meetings between Emirati entrepreneurs and Kenyan counterparts, paving the way for new partnerships in oil and gas, construction materials and infrastructure, and logistics sectors.
Abdallah Sultan Al Owais expressed gratitude for the warm reception during the trade mission, noting that the forum is a crucial step in strengthening UAE-Kenya economic relations. This initiative seeks to enhance trade exchanges, open new investment doors, and deepen economic cooperation to support mutual growth.
The forum follows the promising discussions from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks in February 2024, which aim to bolster long-term partnerships and mutual market access. UAE investments in Kenya are valued at approximately $2.38 billion, while Kenyan investmen
ts in the UAE stand at around $63 million.
Hon. Salim Mvurya praised the trade mission, acknowledging it as a platform to explore opportunities for strengthening trade and investment ties. He highlighted the UAE as Kenya’s sixth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade experiencing significant growth over the past nine years. Kenya remains committed to expanding its trade and investment cooperation with the UAE, focusing on promoting collaboration among business councils.