This archive report was first published on 5 July 2021.
Kenya is gearing up to showcase its products and attract new investors at the Expo Dubai 2020, a six-month global innovation fair that was rescheduled for October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, which is expected to attract 24 million visitors, will provide Kenya with an opportunity to expand its export market and attract new investors.
According to Kenya Pavilion Director Austin Macheso, the event organizers have created a roadmap for exhibitors and traders to discuss new market and investment opportunities globally.
"We have initiated pro-expo programs to engage with main players in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and discuss collaborations such as forums to plan how we can engage more," Macheso said.
Kenya's main market in the region is the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that also includes Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
The exhibition will also provide an opportunity for East Africa's richest to introduce new products, including textiles and honey, which will be showcased at the event.
"Traditionally, we have been exporting tea and horticulture, but we have new products such as textiles and apparels that we look to export to the region and increase the volume of what we are already exporting," Macheso added.
Kenya has already flagged off the first batch of goods worth Sh63 million to Dubai, which includes coffee, tea, textiles, furniture, leather footballs, beauty products, coconut products, soap, sanitizers, and assorted handicrafts.
According to Africa Freight Systems Limited Logistics head Peter Waweru, the containers are expected to arrive in Dubai within two weeks.
"Much of the documentation work happens in Nairobi, so it's only the loading to the SGR and once in Mombasa, the container is loaded to the vessel, and it's shipped to Dubai, 14 days from today," Waweru said.
