President William Ruto Holds Presidential Roundtable with Private Sector

President William Ruto held a presidential roundtable with the private sector aimed at fostering trade and investments through public -private dialogue. 

Held under the theme “Strengthening Government-Private Sector Collaboration for Investment, Trade and Industry-Led Economic Growth”, the forum highlighted Kenya’s investment legislative reforms, ease of doing business, export promotion and value addition, industrialization and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 

President Ruto emphasized on the government’s commitment to expanding trade, improving the business climate and unlocking global market access. 

The president assured the private sector of swift action of the issues raised during the roundtable especially on matters related to local production, job creation, investment and enhancing Kenya’s overall economic competitiveness. 

 “I also salute the private sector for its indispensable and facilitative role in delivering public goods and services,” he said, adding that the localization of supply chains, including stimulating grassroots enterprise, was creating opportunities and expanding impact.

He announced that the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Industry was due to submit the Business Laws Amendment Bill, 2025, to the Cabinet by the end of this month. 

“This will fast-track the legal issues identified by the business sector that were not part of the Finance Bill 2025,” said the president. Furthermore, he pointed out that the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary would coordinate with Parliament to finalize all pending business-related legislation by December. 
Private sector organizations, drawn from a cross-section of the economy and represented by various Business membership organizations, including Kenya Manufacturers Association (KAM), Kenya Shipping Council (KSC), Kenya Flower Council (KFC), the Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) and the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) presented issues to the president that they want resolved to enhance the ease of doing business.
In his remarks, the Cabinet Secretary for Trade, Investments and Industry Lee Kinyanjui encouraged the private sector to take advantage of the Special Economic Zones, County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, across the country. 
He also noted that the ministry was pursuing bilateral trade relations with countries, including China, India, Turkey, Canada, and the US, among others, to open up additional markets for Kenyan goods. 
CS Kinyanjui also disclosed that the ministry is also collaborating with other ministries, including Treasury, Transport and Tourism, and the county governments to synergize initiatives aimed at building a better business environment for the private sector.