The Meru Women in Business have been challenged to work closely with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in order to benefit from programs that are geared towards enhancing women capacity in conducting businesses not only in Meru but throughout the country and internationally.

The women are attending a two days training on Women In Trade Information Platform (WITIP) being held at Alba hotel in Meru, and organized by KNCCI in partnership with Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA). WITIP is a web and mobile based platform that will facilitate access to markets, provide updated and real time information for women traders, create linkages to value added services for the traders as well as networking. The program targets women in business across the country with the aim of increasing economic & social empowerment of women in trade.

This training that kicked off today was officially opened by the Chamber Meru Chapter CEO Ms. Veronica Kihenja who encouraged the business women in Meru to enroll for membership with KNCCI to be able to benefit from numerous opportunities by the Chamber, aimed at supporting the development of the business community in Kenya.

The CEO stated that Meru is blessed with favorable climate that boosts agricultural activities thus contributing to quantity food production especially fruits and vegetable production. She therefore acknowledged that the WITIP will play a key role in supporting marketing of Meru agricultural products to the external markets.

While highlighting KNCCI services, the Chamber Communications Manager Ms. Grace Mwanja expressed that the Chamber understands and values women’s potential and their contribution to the country’s economic growth.

“This WITIP training is just one among many programs implemented by KNCCI to boost women’s potential to engage competitively in the trade environment and to successfully curry out businesses”, Said Ms Mwanja.

To acknowledge the importance of empowering women in the business sector, she quoted the statements by the Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, the late Kofi Annan that, “empowerment of women is the most effective tool for development”.

On her part, the TMEA Women In Trade Programe Manager Ms. Agnes Gakenia explained in confidence that the implementation of the WITIP will help women to grow their businesses and to successfully engage in trade activities not only in Kenya but internationally.

The TMEA Manager committed that her organization is ready to work with other partners who are ready and determined to improve trader’s capabilities in the country, upholding that KNCCI is a key partner in this journey.