Kenya trade fair attracts 150 foreign exhibitors

Exhibition Manager, Expogroup Neville Trindade. This year’s international trade fair in Kenya has attracted the largest number of exhibitors from foreign countries compared to previous events.

In Summary
Kenya International Trade Exhibition (KITE) is the largest international trade fair for multi-sector products, equipment and machinery in the region and presents a large international portfolio of exhibitors.
More than 150 exhibitors from 32 countries have confirmed participation in the three-day exhibition set to start on Thursday despite last weekend’s terrorist attack at Westgate Shopping Mall.

 By CAROLINE WAFULA
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This year’s international trade fair in Kenya has attracted the largest number of exhibitors from foreign countries compared to previous events.

More than 150 exhibitors from 32 countries have confirmed participation in the three-day exhibition set to start on Thursday despite last weekend’s terrorist attack at Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

The Kenya International Trade Exhibition (KITE) is the largest international trade fair for multi-sector products, equipment and machinery in the region and presents a large international portfolio of exhibitors.

Event organisers report a 35 per cent increase in bookings for exhibition space and confirmations of the same through various embassies. About 10,000 businesses visitors are expected to attend the fair at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, a 40 per cent increase projection. It is expected to attract ground breaking numbers.

This will be 17th international trade fair in the country bringing together multi-sector products, equipment and machinery to the East African market. More than 10,000 products will be showcased in over 3,000 square meters of space at the mega event.

Exhibition Manager, Expogroup Neville Trindade said the event has over the years developed into the leading international industry event for converting specialists in the East Africa region.

“They value this specialised trade exhibition as the ideal platform to establish global networks and to build new business relations,” he said.”

“It provides opportunities for local and regional companies to communicate and cooperate with the international majors in the industry,” he stated.

GROWTH SPURT

He said this year’s event has attracted large numbers of visitors and exhibitors globally. The event manager said the multi sector economy in Kenya is in a very exciting growth spurt.

“Now is the time for those serious investors and companies to make their move here. KITE 2013 provides the perfect platform, whereby manufacturers can introduce their products and services to a wide range of experienced and well-connected suppliers and distributors in the East Africa region,” he stated.

The exhibition which acts as a key networking and sourcing platform for the industries concentrates on some of the largest growth categories within the multi sectoral industry covering the food, Hotel and Agricultural sectors, Medical and Pharmaceuticals, Plastic, Printing and Packaging sector, the Industrial and consumer sector.

Currently, the Plastic, Printing and Packaging and the Medical and Pharmaceuticals sectors are the fastest growing sectors worldwide within the multi sector industries.

According to recent figures, Kenya registered a 52 per cent growth in the Food and Agricultural market between 2006 and 2012 and a 56 per cent growth was registered in the East African Countries.

This development was also reflected at KITE 2011/ 12 with the key international brands who exhibited at the events.

For 17 years, Expogroup has hosted the international expo in the region working closely with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry, African Business Development Association, Dubai Exporters and Trade Invest Africa.