The forum brought together the private sector and government authorities from Kenya and Estonia, providing a platform for sharing ideas and business opportunities to build and strengthen trade and investment.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) was highly represented at the business forum by Chamber Officials and members.

While addressing participants at the event, the Chamber president said that the business forum contributes to promoting business ties between Kenya and Estonia since both countries have a lot to learn from each other to develop and build their economies.

The Chamber leader appreciated that Kenya is already benefitting from Estonia innovations, citing logistic companies like Bolt and Little Cab developed from Estonia and have greatly improved mobility in the Country.  He invited the Estonia business community to embrace Kenya as an investment hub affirming that so far, Kenya is the preferred investment destination in Africa.

Kenya and Estonia boost of good relations with the two (2) countries engaging in trade activities. Some of the Kenya Exports to Estonia are Coffee, Tea and Spices.

As revealed by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Trade, Industry and Enterprise Development MS. Betty Maina, good trade rations enable the Kenya business sector to thrive. Ms. Betty welcomed Estonia to tap on investment opportunities in the country since this will contribute to the development Kenya.

KNCCI was also represented at the forum by, Chamber 2^nd Vice President Fatma Elmaawy, Chair Economic Diplomacy Mr. Kariuki Theuri, CEO Samuel Matonda, COO Patrick Nyangweso  among others.

Some of the Chamber Members present were; Konza Technopolis Development Authority, Thika Cloth Mills Ltd. Kenya Agribusiness Agroindustry Alliance, Centum Real Estate, Bonfire Adventures and Coseke (k) Ltd.

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During the event Chief Guest Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Co-operatives Peter Munya announced that Kenya will this coming week commence the first direct sales of coffee to the United States in the state of Nebraska. He added that the government was in the final stages of creating an SME fund to be controlled by Micro and Small Enterprises Authority. The SME fund to be rolled out by January 2020 will start with an initial budget of Kes 2B and will be accessed via biashara centers. The government is also working on the credit guarantees scheme to enable SMEs access finance from banks with no collateral. On constituency industrial centers the CS said the government will roll out 35 centers in December and another 100 in the next 100 days after the national launch

The Kiambu Governor Nyoro in his speech emphasized on the need to create employment through enabling a 24 hour economy and reopening collapsed industries such as the bacon factory in Uplands, Kiambu which he said the county government was in the process of refurbishing and is expected to be reopened in the next 9 months.

Chamber President Richard Ngatia highlighted the numerous achievements the Chamber has seen in the past 100 days including the improved relations with the government and development partners which he said have seen many benefits extended to SMEs. He emphasized the importance of value addition of crops that grow in the Central Kenya region so as to ensure they fetch better prices in the market. He also called on the national and county government to restore the Nairobi Nanyuki railway line so as to ease transportation of goods.

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