County Partnerships for Trade Development
Traders play a crucial role in the county’s economic development, but the nature of their work/hustle can sometimes be demanding and taxing. In light of this, the government, through its departments and agencies continually seeks to provide support to those in the industry.
On Wednesday, the leadership of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Nandi chapter met with the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise Development CPA Alfred Lagat to discuss ways to support traders and improve the state of commercial centers in the county.
The discussions cantered on waste management, regulation of hawking business, security, response to fires and tragedies, plot rate waivers, the establishment of an enterprise fund, capacity building for traders, parking spaces, and issuance of licenses.
CPA Lagat highlighted plans the department has in place to improve conditions of county markets, including the ongoing demarcation of parking spaces in town, re-organization of the town in a bid to eliminate shanties, and designation of hawking spaces.
The CECM revealed that the county is also partnering with KIRDI and MSEA to provide training to traders on product development, and is also developing an e-soko platform for online marketing of goods in the county. It is also planning to deploy trade ambassadors to other counties to seek market opportunities and linkages for Nandi products.
He noted that the Alcoholic drinks control directorate and fund is being utilized for rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts.
He further revealed that an enterprise fund is being established to create upwards of Ksh 200 million from diaspora remittances to be availed to traders as loans and LPO financing in partnership with KCB bank.
The county also plans to partner with KNCCI to organize a business gala and dinner in March, which will include exhibitions, round table engagements, dinner and an award ceremony. #ContinuedTransformation