Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano on Saturday held a meeting with 100 business owners in Japan in an effort to market Kenya's manufacturing sector.
In a statement sent to Kenyans.co.ke, the Trade CS who took over the docket from Moses Kuria noted that she held the meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Trade Ministers Summit in Osaka, Japan, where she was the only African Minister invited.
At the event, Miano signed a deal to Initiate Industrial Policy Dialogue (IPD) with her Japanese Counterpart Yasutoshi Nishimura, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
"The IPD will indicate the direction of industrial collaboration that will contribute to strengthening economic relations between Kenya and Japan and provide for identifying and discussing cooperation areas that may become points of discussion in the future and support the mutually beneficial relations between Kenya and Japan," read the statement in part.
"The IPD will go a long way in helping the two countries prioritise their investments in this regard."
CS Miano observed that globally, Africa features favourably as the next frontier for investments stating that Kenya is positioned strategically as a reliable partner for Japan especially in the manufacturing industry.
The CS indicated that over the years, the two countries have enjoyed a close relationship with Kenya exporting goods worth Ksh9 billion (USD61.3 million) a year.
Top exports from Kenya to Japan include titanium, coffee, waste and scrap of copper, cut flowers and flower buds, tea and nuts.
Japan, which exports goods worth Ksh131 billion (USD892.3 million) per year to Kenya, brought in motor cars, flat-rolled iron, parts and accessories for tractors, synthetic filament tow and bulldozers.
The CS further assured the business persons that Kenya is among the most advanced economies in Africa offering unlimited investment opportunities and a conducive business environment.
She also noted that investment opportunities are available in economic sectors such as energy and financial services as well as natural resources and market access.
Kenya attended the G7 Trade Ministers Summit alongside G7 members and other invited ministers including; India, Australia, Indonesia, and Chile.
