Kepsa initiative receives Sh154m

Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) CEO Frank Matsaert makes a presentation on women funds whereby Trade Mark East Africa is funding 4.5 million dollars in empowering women in eastafrica during the Unveiling of women and trade (WaT) Programme Funded by Trade Markets East Africa on October 15, 2015. [David Gichuru]

Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) has received a $1.5 million (Sh154.5 million) cash funding from the TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) to boost its activities.

The funding will go towards supporting Kepsa’s Public-Private Sector Dialogue (PPD) programme.

The initiative seeks to improve conditions for expanded trade and investment for local businesses, create jobs and grow the economy.

It focuses on transport and logistics, trade facilitation, customs and tax, standards, trade logistics and technical support for efficient public-private sector dialogue frameworks.

"We will yield a two-fold benefit from this grant as a result of the new approach which involves working together with the local sector-based business associations, business associations representing foreign companies in Kenya and the civil society advocates of regional integration," said Chairperson of the Kepsa PPD Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Board Committee Brenda Mbathi.  

TMEA’s Chief Executive Frank Matsaert said building platforms where the private sector can voice issues affecting the business environment is critical.

“Such input enables development partners and governments to devise solutions that respond to real needs. We are glad to partner with Kepsa to make sure that dialogue takes place,” he said.