Kenya showcasing cultural heritage and innovation progress in Osaka, Japan
kenya’s trade with Japan has grown significantly yet concerns of a widening imbalance have prompted high level discussions in 2024 Kenya imported goods worth 816 million from Japan primarily vehicles and heavy machinery while its exports mainly tea cut flowers and agriculture products totaled only 69.2 million resulting in a trade deficit exceeding $747 million it’s this deficit that the government of Kenya is seeking to bridge at the Osaka Export 2025 miran Yamura reports from Osaka in Japan japan a global industrial powerhouse with established supply chains has a low market uptake of Kenyan products this disparity was the focal point at the Kenya Japan Business Forum held at the Osaka International Convention Center in Osaka Japan cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investment says there’s need for Kenya to diversify its export base by adding value to agricultural products the trade balance has consistently been in favor of uh Japan with the current ratio at about 1 is to13 due to the high level of imports compared to exports from Kenya
key challenges include the marketing of Kenyan products through branding the absence of direct flights and limited digital trade platforms trade balance is uh highly uh depending on the free uh activity of the uh business community business uh uh activity uh we will provide uh a great opportunity in in conjunction conjunction with Tikad conference uh this year in Yokohama
the Japan Africa public private economic forum this forum which aims to promote cooperation between Japanese and African private sector companies in paris such as trade investment infrastructure and energy as well as to facilitate business activities of Japanese companies in Africa the 2025 Kenya Japan Business Forum aims to deepen cooperation between both countries this on the sidelines of Kenya’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka where 161 countries are showcasing their culture and technological advancements special economic zones which the government has designated and which is our key selling point as a ministry and as the government of Kenya so that we can be able to attract part of the manufacturers who are here for their African and maybe the Gulf market to be able to do it off dongokundu or Naasha and then we can be able to distribute it across the continent
despite the trade imbalance the Kenya Japan relationship is evolving the number of Japanese companies operating in Kenya has increased from 25 in 2012 to 120 today focus now shifts to addressing challenges and strengthening the presence of Kenyan goods in one of Asia’s most lucrative markets marrian Bura Citizen TV Osaka Japan
Kenya’s trade with Japan has grown significantly, yet concerns over a widening imbalance have prompted high level discussions.
In 2024, Kenya imported goods worth $816 million from Japan, primarily vehicles and heavy machinery, while its exports….mainly tea, cut flowers, and agricultural products, totaled only $69.2 million, resulting in a trade deficit exceeding $747 million. Its this deficit that the government of Kenya is seeking to bridge at the Osaka Expo 2025. Maryanne Nyambura reports from Osaka, Japan
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