State Department for Trade to Strengthen Collaboration with Counties

The State Department for Trade remains committed in collaborating and coordinating with County Governments to facilitate trade within the devolved units.

The collaborative efforts are geared towards strengthening intergovernmental relations on matters related to trade to avoid duplications and eliminate barriers that hinder trade.

Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam hosted the Caucus for Trade County  Executive Committee Members (ECMs) led by the Chair and ECM for Trade and Industry in Embu, Francis Ndwiga.He was accompanied by Vice Chair Monica Fedha (Bungoma) and the Secretary Leah Marias (Kajiado).

The discussion focused on areas of mutual cooperation centering on four key thematic areas including legislative reforms, research, outreach and capacity building and monitoring and evaluation.

PS Ombam assured the county officials of the State Department’s support and commitment to facilitate trade in the counties and underscored the need to streamline the trade functions between the two levels of government.

She highlighted the key role that trade plays in creating jobs and driving the country’s economy and called for synergy between the national and the county governments.

The PS also stated the need to sensitize counties on Kenya’s trade agreements for the devolved units to understand and utilize the opportunities created by the agreements.

The parties also deliberated on the operationalization of the County Aggregation Industrial Parks(CAIPs) and the creation of a marketing strategy to ensure that products manufactured from the CAIPs get market access both locally and internationally.

Also present during the meeting was the Ag.Director for Internal Trade Elizabeth Miguda and Deputy Director and Head of Policy and Strategy Lucas Mwago