Miano holds talks with Canada export promotion minister

Trade and Industry CS Rebecca Miano on Saturday held a meeting with Canada’s Minister for Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary NG.

The first bilateral meeting was held by Miano on the sidelines of the G7 Trade Ministers meeting currently underway in Osaka in Japan.

The ministry in a statement said the meeting between the two ministers focused on the growing bilateral trade relationship between the two countries focusing on tea, coffee, horticulture, pharmaceuticals and industrial products.

“The two ministers emphasized on the importance of engaging Africa on greening value chains, diversifying supply chains to include Africa, and ensuring that trade works for MSMEs,” the statement said.

The two ministers agreed that Kenya and Canada will work to mutually support their vision of a prosperous, sustainable world driven by trade and investment.

Miano also held talks with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura.

The meeting focused on optimising trade relationship and advocating for businesses between the two countries.

“We have inked a joint statement, launching the Japan industry policy dialogue to further boost collaboration,” Miano said.

Miano said the shared vision includes ramping up industrial cooperation, bolstering market access and fortifying supply capacity for mutual growth.

This is even as the annual tradability index released Wednesday showed that Kenya is trailing South Africa and Western African economic powerhouses.

According to the index, Kenya moved to position six from seven last year out of 10, trailing South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Nigeria and Ghana in that order. 

This week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua closed a deal with the Java Coffee Company.

The deal signed by Gachagua who is in Belgium will now see local coffee farmers start selling their produce to the company.

Java is one of the world’s largest coffee firms.

According to the Joint Commitment deal, the Java Coffee Company pledged to purchase Kenyan coffee directly from the local farmers starting with 700 tonnes.

“The commitment entails the acquisition of at least 10,000 bags of coffee, totalling 700 tonnes, of premium Kenyan coffee,” Gachagua said.

The landmark deal was formalized at the company’s premises in Rotselaar, Belgium.

Gachagua said the move will help small-scale farmers increase their incomes.

BY MAGDALINE SAYA