The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) in collaboration with India International Textile Machinery Exhibition Society (India ITME Society) together with other agencies this morning held a networking forum at Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi. This event aimed to convene stakeholders in the Kenyan Textile Industry to interact and network with ITME ahead of the upcoming 11th Edition of India International Textile and Manufacturing Expo (ITME 2022) set for 8th to 13th December 2022.

India ITME 2022 shall be held in India Exposition Mart Ltd and is expected to host more than 1800 exhibitors in 22 Chapters and is expected to have over 1,50,000 visitors over the 6 days period. The Indian textiles industry is set for strong growth, buoyed by strong domestic consumption as well as export demand. India ITME 2022 will offer unmatched business opportunities to the participating exhibitors and open doors for various business verticals in form of leads, contacts enquiries on a massive platform.

The Chairman for India ITME Society Mr. S.Hari Shankar in his welcoming remarks appreciated the bilateral trade relationship between Kenya and India and emphasized on the great potential to boost investment in textile manufacturing and machinery in the two countries.

The Deputy High Commissioner of India in Kenya Shri Rohit Vadhwana in his remarks stated that the exhibition will provide an opportunity for both Kenyan and Indian Investors in the Textile and Manufacturing Industry to promote trade and investment for mutual benefit.

KNCCI President Mr. Richard Ngatia, in his remarks lauded the expo, highlighting Kenya’s position as a leading service destination, a regional manufacturing hub and the most industrialized country in East and Central African Region. He encouraged private investors in the Textile Industry in tandem with Kenya’s vision to increase the industry investment from $350m to $2bn and create 500,000 cotton jobs and 100,000 new apparel jobs. He pledged the support of the Chamber to establish business linkages and connect its members with relevant Indian enterprises in order to increase trade volumes.

The forum was concluded by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KNCCI and India ITME Society to cement the relationship between the parties. The MOU will ensure co-operation in joint business ventures, trade promotion, technology transfer, training, exchange of information and market opportunities. The MOU was signed by the Chamber President Mr. Richard Ngatia and the Chairman, India ITME Society Mr. S.Hari Shankar, and witnessed by KNCCI Director Mr. Omarsadik Dahiye.