NAIROBI, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) on Tuesday launched the 2024 Business Growth Program that seeks to boost the country's manufacturing sector.
Joyce Njogu, the head of consulting and business development at KAM, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the program will provide about 70 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with practical training and capacity building to enable them to expand their operations.
"This program aims to provide manufacturing SMEs with the necessary tools, resources, and guidance to enhance their competitiveness, expand their market reach, and drive sustainable growth," Njogu said, noting that Kenya has prioritized SMEs to help the country increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) from the current 7.8 percent to 20 percent by 2030.
Ciiru Waweru, the chair of KAM SME Hub, said the program is designed to support small manufacturers in developing strategies that will enable their products to access regional and international markets. Waweru noted that the beneficiaries of the program will also receive training on how to implement business proposals to enable them to access credit from financial institutions.
Established in 1959, the KAM is a representative of manufacturing and value-added industries in Kenya. ■
