Indian expo eyes trade opportunities in Kenya

Bengaluru, March 28 (IANS) A four-day exposition showcasing Indian products and services opened Friday in Kenyan capital Nairobi to explore trade and investment opportunities by a trade delegation from India.

"We are here to improve trade and investment in diverse areas such as agro, auto components, electronics, food, healthcare, infrastructure and pharma," Federation of Indian Export Organisation (FIEO) regional chairman Walter D'Souza said in a statement on Saturday from Nairobi.

As head of the Indian trade delegation, D'Souza said with high production standards, Indian manufacturers could provide right kind of products to the African region.

Indian high commissioner to Kenya Yogeshwar Varma unveiled the expo at the Kenyatta international convention centre in the city centre, where deputy high commissioner Sushil Singhal was also present with Indian and Kenyan business community.

Asserting that the government's 'Make in India' policy would help in creating world class products and services with cost efficiency, D'Souza said both the countries should identify potentials in thrust areas for enhancing trade and investment.

Exhorting Kenyans to experience quality products and services from India offered at competitive prices, the export body representative claimed Indian investments in Kenya would double over the next five years from $1.5 billion in 2014.

Over 200 Indian products are on display at the expo ranging from agri machinery, audio and hearing equipment, auto components, cosmetics, electronics, food-processing machinery, high fashion, incense sticks to pharma.

"As Kenya is gateway for the East African region, we are focusing more on bilateral trade and investment due to labour availability in the region," D'Souza added.

Bilateral trade between the two countries grew sharply to $4.17 billion in 2014 from $1.5 billion in 2010.

The state-run FIFO is promoted by the commerce ministry of the Indian government.