The Secretary of State for International Development in the UK, Hon. Justine Greening, was in Mombasa to assess the progress of Kenya in terms of trade, investment and economic growth, supported by her government.

As part of the programme, she met key private sector players based in Mombasa to discuss on trade, economic policy and regulatory matters.  She also sought to know more about transport infrastructure; doing business and investing in Mombasa; and priorities of the County of Mombasa. EATTA was represented in the meeting by the Trade Development Manager Mr. Brian Ngwiri. In the discussions held, Brian articulated the challenges faced by Mombasa based businesses caused by the poor road network, irregular and unreliable power supply and the Mombasa County Governments haphazard charging of cess and levies that are costly for the businesses based here. On tea specific issues that the tea industry is experiencing, Brian informed the Secretary for International Development that support for value addition initiatives including developing a common user facility would be a positive development. Brian gave the Secretary of State an update on the progress on automation of the Mombasa Tea Auction and the support from TradeMark East Africa. Brian, informed Ms Greening on the necessary support that would be welcome from TMEA for an end to end tea value chain intervention including capacity building in crop husbandry to ensure a better quality tea is produced upstream to capacity building to encourage SME’s develop necessary skills for developing new market opportunities.

Accompanying Ms Greening was the Principal Secretary for International Trade Dr. Chris Kiptoo and CEO of Shippers Council of East Africa Mr. Gilbert Langat. The Association was represented by Mr. Meshack Kipturgo of Siginon Group. Other organisations represented were KATO, KAM, Chamber of Commerce and Mombasa County Government.