NAIROBI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) in partnership with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), and trade ministry on Wednesday launched the Second Manufacturing Summit and Expo.
Under the theme "Driving Local Competitiveness to Make Kenya a Manufacturing Hub for Africa", the three-day Summit and Expo seeks to promote Buy Kenya, Build Kenya, showcase local content, establish market and financial linkages and promote innovation in industry.
KAM Chairperson Flora Mutahi said in Nairobi that the event is an opportunity for industry and stakeholders to deliberate on transforming the nation through industrialization and promoting local industries for industrial growth, job and wealth creation.
"With over 1000 participants and over 90 exhibitors, the conference will enhance dialogue between manufacturers, policy makers and development partners to transform Kenya's industrialization agenda," Mutahi said.
She said that growing the manufacturing sector's contribution to 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product remains a focus for the industry.
"This expo is therefore an opportunity to drive our sector towards this goal, and ultimately increase the competitiveness of locally manufactured products in local, regional and international markets," added Mutahi.
The first Kenya Manufacturing Summit, held in 2016, showcased the need to strengthen government's engagement and partnership in addressing the challenges identified by the National Development Blueprint Vision 2030 and the Kenya Industrial Transformation Program (KITP) towards Kenya's industrial transformation.
Adan Mohamed, Ministry of Industry and Trade Cabinet Secretary, said that the government is keen on growing Kenya's economy by providing high quality jobs and enhancing Kenya's wealth creation objectives.
"The Vision 2030 sets apart the manufacturing sector as a key actor for the development of the country's economy, which has seen Public-Private Partnerships as one of the ways in which Kenya can achieve sustainable competitiveness," Mohamed said.
