Kenyan Businesses assured ahead of the coming elections

The commissioner of police assures the private sector in Kenya that Businesses are secure ahead of the General Elections: November 12, 2012, NAIROBI: Private sector business leaders under the umbrella of KEPSA together with the Diplomatic Community led by the Danish Embassy met with officials from the different Government arms of internal security spearheaded by Ag. PS Ministry of Internal Security and Provincial Administration at a local hotel. The aim of the meeting was to find ways in which these parties can engage to ensure that businesses and the country is free of violence ahead of the March 2013 General Elections. This comes after the 2007 political violence that paralyzed the country to a near standstill and recent cases of insecurity in parts of the country that has cost the country of business people, property, the public and police officers on duty. The private sector led by KEPSA highlighted key areas and recommendations on security from the private sector businesses:

LAUNCH OF THE CMA AWARDS KENYA 2012

CMA AWARDS KENYA 2012 – INAUGURAL AWARDS The CMA (Citi Micro-Entrepreneurship Awards) will be held in Kenya for the first time this year. This will be the inaugural CMA Award Kenya 2012. Citi has partnered with the Association of Micro-Finance Institutions (AMFI) to implement the awards program in Kenya. The Citi Micro-entrepreneurship Awards program has three overarching goals: 1. First, the program seeks to raise awareness about microfinance, particularly among micro-entrepreneurs who can benefit from it and regulators who have influence over the expansion of the sector to spur policymaking that builds more inclusive financial sectors and lays the foundation for a flourishing microfinance industry. 2. Second, the program seeks to build awareness of the important role micro-entrepreneurs play in their local economies by highlighting to the world their contributions and talents. 3. Third, the program seeks to catalyze innovations among microfinance institutions that will lead to the increased supply of demand-driven products and enhanced client capability. CMA AWARDS KENYA 2012 – ENTRY ELIGIBILITY Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Kenya are broadly encouraged to nominate their clients who have exhibited excellence in areas such as loan repayment, business growth, employment growth, and impact on the community for their local Citi Micro-Entrepreneurship Awards program. All nominees must be submitted through a microfinance institution. Micro entrepreneurs may not nominate themselves directly to the awards team in their country. CMA AWARDS KENYA 2012 – MEASUREMENT OF SUCCESS A series of indicators have been established over the past few years to gauge the success of the micro entrepreneurship awards program. A key indicator is the commitment of MFIs (Micro-Finance Institutions), gauged by the number of MFIs that submit applications on behalf of micro entrepreneurs; the number of micro entrepreneurs who are nominated for the awards; encouraging leaders and opinion shapers in the country to support the awards.

Official opening of Maasai Market at City Mall Nyali in Mombasa by the Director of Trade -Kenya

The Maasai Market located at City Mall in Nyali, Mombasa was officially opened today (24th/Oct./2012) by the Director of Trade Mrs. Joyce A. Ogundo. The occasion was marked by entertainments by a Maasai dancing troop and was witnessed by a multitude of Maasai market traders and other invited guests. The proprietor of City mall, Mrs. Sheila Doshi and the CEO of youth Fund, Mr. Juma mwatata were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion while Mr. Richard Muteti, CEO MSE Sector, was the master of ceremony. The market provides an opportunity to Micro Entrepreneurs to sale and showcases their products and services to the various clienteles who visit the Mall including the tourists. The market provides an opportunity for more than 100 small traders to participate every Wednesday and Thursday. The Minister for Trade Hon. Moses Wetangula who was represented by the Director of Trade hailed the initiative and called upon other Mall owners to initiate the same.

EABC and ASK Holds the ''EAC Day'' on 5TH October 2012

The East African Business Council (EABC) and the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) holds the ‘’East African Community Day’’ The EABC and the ASK held the ‘’EAC Day’’ during the just concluded Nairobi International Trade Fair held between 01st and 07th October, 2012. 05th October was designated “EAC Day’’ and set aside to celebrate the EAC Integration and to showcase businesses that are in the forefront of taking advantage of the EAC Integration process. The celebration which included exhibitions, a luncheon and an evening cocktail drew participants from across the private sector businesses across the EAC and beyond. The days’ broad aim was to recognize the efforts of various companies in Kenya that consciously and consistently continue to pursue the East African objectives. The inaugural EAC day for this year was set to be held alongside the Nairobi International Trade Fair on 5th October, 2012 and formed the climax of the Nairobi International Trade Fair which took place from 01st to 07th October, 2012. The event brought together hundreds of exhibitors from over twenty different countries, mainly from Africa, Europe, Asia and the East African region. Objectives of the event were: 1. To showcase those businesses that have a regional outlook as well as those that are looking to expand across the region. 2. To appreciate the private sector participation in EAC integration and to embrace the East African Spirit. 3. To expose the private sector members from the EAC region to business opportunities in Kenya. 4. To expose the private sector members to the international opportunities provided by international trading partners like China, India and others represented in the trade fair; and 5. To expose the EAC private sector to networking opportunities and knowledge sharing experiences with international businesses.

East African Business Council gets a new Executive Director

Andrew Luzze Kaggwa is the new EABC Executive Director During the 51st Executive Committee Meeting held in Arusha, the EABC Board of Directors bid farewell to Agatha Nderitu the former Executive Director of EABC and introduced the new Executive Director Mr. Andrew Luzze Kaggwa. Agatha handed over the leadership at the Council after serving for four and half years as a trail of praises flocked in for her excellent, exemplary, dedicated and inspiring leadership from the EABC board, staff, the business community, EABC partners and the EAC secretariat Andrew Luzze brings to EABC a wealth of technical and leadership experience acquired during his service as Policy Analyst at EABC working on EAC integration issues and the Tripartite process, as Policy Research and Advocacy Officer at Uganda Manufacturers Association and many other previous engagements he has been involved in. Andrew Luzze holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Policy and Planning and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in Economics all from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. In his acceptance speech, the incoming Executive Director outlined the key objectives that he and his team would be taking forward in line with the EABC five year strategic plan. Key amongst these will be continuing to strengthen the capacity of the secretariat, ensuring that EABC remains the driver of policy at regional level and within the tripartite process, working towards increasing EABC visibility and increasing value added services to members. He reiterated the need to wided EABC membership base to support the small and medium enterprises in order to make the voice of the private sector even in EAC even stronger. He looked forward to working closely with all EABC stakeholders including the EAC Partner States, EAC Secretariat, EAC Organs and Institutions, and relevant Ministries, departments, Civil Society Organizations, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and organizations representing the youths in the region among others.

BURUNDI TO HOST THE 13TH JUA KALI / NGUVU KAZI EXHIBITION

The EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition is an annual regional event organized by the Partner States of the East African Community (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) in collaboration with the apex bodies of the EAC regional MSE sector organizations This year's Exhibition is scheduled to be held from 2nd to 9th December 2012 at the Musee Vivant de Bujumbura in Bujumbura, Burundi. Over the years, the exhibition has become an important avenue for promotion of products, transfer of technology and enhancement of the social-economic integration of the people of East Africa. The theme for the 13th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition is; ‘’Promoting Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi through innovation, competitiveness, investments and Private Public Partnerships’’ The number of exhibitors is expected to be seven hundred (700) distributed as follows; Burundi - 200 Kenya - 185 Tanzania - 185 Uganda - 70 Rwanda - 60 The MSE Exhibitors will be identified by the Country Umbrella MSE Associations in collaboration with the Country Organizing Committees Chaired by the Respective Ministry Responsible for Small Business Development in the respective EAC Partner States.

Maasai Market opens at City Mall Nakumat Nyali in Mombasa.

The management of the City Mall Nakumat Nyali in Mombasa in collaboration with the leadership of the MSE Sector has agreed to promote women entrepreneurs by establishing a Maasai market at City Mall Nakumat Nyali in Mombasa. The market will provide an opportunity to the MSEs to sale and showcase their products and services to the various clienteles who visit the Mall including the tourists. The market provides an opportunity for 100 small traders to participate every Wednesday and Thursday we take this opportunity to thank the management of the City Mall Nyali For according this Economic opportunity to our Small Business Owners majority of whom are women.