Kenya’s trade sector is embracing a new vision of inclusivity and sustainability following a strategic meeting between Regina Ombam, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Trade and Fatuma Hussein, Managing Director of Vision Quest.
The meeting focused on strengthening national and county coordination, coherence and collaboration across key sectors that support inclusive and sustainable trade development. This will unlock opportunities across diverse regions, particularly the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties.
The discussion centered on mapping opportunities in ASAL that identify untapped trade and investment potential in marginalized regions, with an emphasis on agriculture, livestock and industries.
It also focused on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) a mainstreaming of women, youth and marginalized groups into trade initiatives that ensure equitable participation.
The Environmental and Climate Consideration in trade will integrate sustainability in strategies, recognizing the impact of climate change on livehoods and markets.
They emphasized on the policy coherence, a streamlining framework that avoids duplication and strengthens institutional capacity for trade development.
The private sector and communities have implemented bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements that ensure effective coordination in Kenya and global trade framework.
The meeting ensures the government aligns with broader policy goals, emphasizing the importance of bridging policy with practice and ensuring that trade development balances economic growth with social equity and environmental sustainability.
