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"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"

"helping Small Business Owners Scale the Steps to Business Success"
Symbol of Hope for Small Businesses in East Africa

Friday, December 14, 2012

APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT TO THE 13TH EAC JUA KALI/ NGUVU KAZI EXPO, 2012.

The just concluded highly successful 13th EAC Regional Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Expo’2012 that was graced by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Burundi came to an end on 9th Dec. 2012. The theme was ‘’Promoting Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi through innovation, competitiveness, investments and Private Public Partnerships’’ The event took off from 2nd to 9th December 2012 at the ‘Musee Vivant de Bujumbura’ in Bujumbura, Burundi. The success of the expo is greatly attributed to each one of the under mentioned for the unwavering and valued support that they provided in ensuring its success. we feel greatly indebted to the following entities and individuals for their direct and indirect support to the Project Management and wish to extend special thanks to:  The Republic of Burundi for hosting the 13th EAC Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi Exhibition.  The East African Community Secretariat.  The East African Community partner states through the respective Ministries responsible for the development of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector.  The East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organization (EA-CISO) Leadership for taking lead in their tireless efforts in the mobilization of the artisans (exhibitors) across the East African region  The Founder of AHD for his logistical support and the leadership of CISO Burundi for the ground support.  The Various sponsors that supported the various CISO Country chapters.  The Excellency Ambassadors of the partner states for their constant support and wise counsel during the expo.  All the Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibitors from the EAC Partner States and Corporate Institutions who took their time and resources to participate thereby contributing greatly to the success of the expo.  All others who sacrificed their time and resources to make the expo a success. We look forward to your continuous support as we introduce other programs within the East African Community region aimed at empowering the Micro and Small Entrepreneurs.

KEPSA HOSTS THE PRIME MINISTER FOR LUNCH TO APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE PRIME MINISTER ROUND TABLE..

NAIROBI, December 11, 2012 – Private sector business leaders in Kenya under KEPSAs umbrella met with the Prime Minister to celebrate and appreciate the success of the dialogue process that began in August 2008. This dialogue took place under the Prime Minister Round Table (PMRT) championed by KEPSA. Speaking during this luncheon, the Prime Minister appreciated that the Round Table format has become a model of stakeholder engagement between the Government and key business leaders. The Prime Minister commended the timely involvement of the private sector in influencing key policy formulation. High level advocacy is one of the key strategies for KEPSA by lobbying for policies that enable a conducive environment for businesses. Hon. Odinga stressed that Kenya’s competitiveness can only be achieved when policies that support the growth of businesses are passed. In addressing one of KEPSAs key strategy which is enhancing trade and investment, he noted that his office is open to dialogue with the private sector to identify areas which need to do better and that he is willing to put more effort into addressing the challenges. He further stated that energy is a key sector in Kenya but the current energy price is too high. This remark addresses one of the advocacy initiatives KEPSA has been involved in through its energy sector board. He assured business leaders that this situation will not go on for a long time because in future, Kenya will rely more and more on cleaner and cheaper alternative to diesel which is set to bring down the cost of doing business. He singled out geothermal, wind and nuclear energy. He also noted that the LAPPSET project will go along way in addressing transport challenges. The transport sector has also been a key focus for the private sector as businesses understand a reliable and organized transport sector is important for economic development. In other remarks, since the private sector under the umbrella of KEPSA is championing peaceful elections evident from the upcoming Speakers Round Table in Mombasa from Dec 17 – 18, the Prime Minister said “I want to assure you and your counterparts abroad watching this country that this election will be free, fair and peaceful.” This comes at a good time when KEPSA is assuring investors that their businesses are safe. For the tourism industry, this is a good indication that Kenya still remains the tourist destination. Eng. Patrick Obath, Chair KEPSA, spoke on behalf of the private sector. He appreciated the achievements that the private sector has had during the 4 years of its engagement with the Prime Minister. “The private sector has given input in policy reforms which have had a great impact in the investment environment.” He further commended the Prime Minister for his leadership in the PMRT throughout the years, listening to the needs of the private sector and ensuring these needs are reflected in policy reforms for an enabling business environment. Eng. Obath assured the Prime Minister that private sector leaders are keen on continuous engagements in future. KEPSAs CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki applauded the Prime minister for the support he has given the private sector. She noted that the Private sector is keen to have the Public Private Dialogue institutionalized. Ms. Kariuki further informed the prime Minister that KEPSA has taken the lead to inform its members, who are the majority of employers in Kenya, to give their employees time off to register as voters. This comes at a time when Kenya is experiencing a low voter turnout prior to the upcoming elections. In attendance were key business and Government leaders, the Danish Ambassador Amb. Andersen Geert and French ambassador Amb. Etienne de Poncins.