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BCCI Explores Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya

BCCI Explores Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenya

August 14, 2019

On Friday, August 9, 2019, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) held a meeting with representatives from the Kenyan delegation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore the opportunity for the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BCCI and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting was one of many held last week during the official visit of the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta and his delegation with the Government of Barbados.

During the meeting held at the offices of the Barbados Chamber, both parties agreed that the MoU would detail opportunities and areas of cooperation in addition to providing an understanding of trade regulations in Kenya to guide the local private sector as it explores potential areas for trade and investment. The meeting was chaired by President of the BCCI, Mrs. Trisha Tannis, who was supported by senior members of Council and the Executive Director of the BCCI, Mrs. Misha Lobban-Clarke.  Also, in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce.

Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Ambassador Johnson Weru, who led the Kenyan delegation at the meeting, stated that the Kenyan government would provide the necessary support to enable the MoU and facilitate the realisation of meaningful linkages to grow the private sector.

President Tannis stated that discussions towards exploring areas for co-operation by way of an MoU would be broad-based in collaboration with the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce.

“We are excited about the opportunities that we can present to our membership and the wider private sector. The BCCI recognizes the importance of trade and business relations in generating opportunities for economic growth for both Barbados and Kenya. Through the proposed MoU we are hoping to explore opportunities and potential areas for trade and investment for the benefit of the private sector in both countries,” President Tannis stated.

BCCI Executive Director, Misha Lobban-Clarke also expressed positive hopes as it relates to the exploratory talks on the establishment of an MoU between the Barbados Chamber and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We anticipate that an MoU at one level will facilitate the sharing of trade information between Barbados and Kenya that will help to bridge the gap that exists between our regions and that it will result in the establishment of greater linkages as well as trade and business opportunities that are reciprocal and positive for all the parties involved. From the discussions, there are prospects for business and investment opportunities for our members in a number of areas and so we are committed to advancing broad-based discussions among our membership and with the Chamber in Kenya towards finalizing a framework for this Memorandum of Understanding,” Mrs. Lobban-Clarke said.