Britain calls for more business with Kenya

PHOTO | FILE A tea grower delivers tea to a buying centre near Chinga tea factory in Othaya on January 17, 2011. Britain has urged Kenyan business people to boost trade between the two through enhanced interaction.

What you need to know:

  • During a visit to the country, Britain’s parliamentary select committee on home affairs called on local traders to make meaningful penetration into the UK market by creating individual links with their counterparts instead of waiting for government’s help.
  • The UK accounts for nine per cent of Kenya’s total exports and is third largest importer of Kenya’s tea.

Britain has urged Kenyan business people to boost trade between the two through enhanced interaction.

During a visit to the country, Britain’s parliamentary select committee on home affairs called on local traders to make meaningful penetration into the UK market by creating individual links with their counterparts instead of waiting for government’s help.

“We can wait for the government; big as they are, but for us to ensure that commerce between our countries grows depends on each one of you,” said committee chairman Keith Vaz.

ISSUE LONG TERM VISAS

He spoke at a dinner hosted by Sameer Group on Tuesday that brought together business the community in the country.

The UK accounts for nine per cent of Kenya’s total exports and is third largest importer of Kenya’s tea.

In 2012 for instance, Britain bought 380,000 tonnes of Kenyan tea worth Sh86 billion. In the same year, it imported coffee worth Sh15.4 billion and horticultural produce valued at Sh903 million.

Speaking at the same event, British deputy high commissioner to Kenya John Murton said the mission will continue issuing long term visas to business visitors from the country as long as they have good records.