The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry will this week lead a high powered private sector delegation from 87 companies to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VII) in Yokohama Japan. TICAD VII is organized under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Development through People, Technology and Innovation” with particular focus on the private sectors hence the need for a bigger role for both business communities from Africa and Japan.

According to Chamber President Richard Ngatia the TICAD forum provides the business community with an opportunity to leverage on new sources of growth and venture into more complex products and services through joint ventures

“We do hope that all the companies attending this forum will take maximum chances and contribute to enhancing the nation’s technological capabilities, developing the local supply chain and increasing Kenya’s competitiveness in the market place,” said Mr. Ngatia.

Kenya Chamber has also said it will rally Japan investors to invest in digital industry and economy space as the government has provided an enabling ecosystem for the manufacturing sector to thrive by adopting new technologies.

“We can ensure that Kenya will remain as an attractive prospect for high-technology, innovative and high value-added industries in years to come,” He added.

Ngatia has also called on both Kenya and Japan to collaborate in the areas of technology, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, TVET, skill development and education exchange among other areas. The Chamber will also be pushing for partnership in the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) with the private sector is keen to lead the process its realization.

Kenya will have a country dedicated session on Friday 30th August as to when a B2B side event will help link Kenyan and Japanese enterprises.