World Trade Center Utah, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and the African Chamber of Commerce of Utah, is delighted to welcome the deputy governor, county secretary and director of socio-economic planning of Makueni County in Kenya, who will be joining us for a breakfast at the World Trade Center Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
We would like to invite the Utah business community and education leaders to join us. The delegation is in Utah to explore business opportunities, governance and development with the state.
Due to high demand for the breakfast, seating is reserved for attendees currently or considering doing business in Kenya. To this end, please indicate your interest in attending the breakfast by submitting your information through the request form. If WTC Utah is able to confirm your seat you will be notified via email. Please note that your registration is not confirmed until you receive this email.
In 2008, the United States signed Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFA) with the East African Community (EAC), and with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2001. Kenya is a member of both regional organizations. The African Growth and Opportunity Act qualifies Kenya for preferential trade benefits. The Office of the United States Trade Representative Africa Office is leading efforts to forge a new trade and investment partnership with the East African Community. The United States exported $651 million to Kenya in 2013 increasing 14.5 percent from 2012. The top U.S. export categories to Kenya include aircraft, machinery, optic and medical instruments, electrical machinery and cereals. In 2013, U.S. exports of agricultural products to Kenya totaled $81 million and the U.S. had a goods trade surplus of $201 million, increasing 11.9 percent from the previous year. The U.S. and Kenya belong to a number of the same international organizations including the World Trade Organization, United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.