On June 11, 2024, Ms. Rose Mwaura, the Chief Operating Officer of KEPSA, met with H.E. Mrs. Joan Thomas Edwards, the designated High Commissioner of Jamaica to Kenya, who is currently residing in Pretoria, South Africa, along with Andrew Francis, Minister Counsellor at the Jamaican High Commission. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss potential areas of collaboration in trade and investment between the private sector of Kenya and Jamaica.

During the meeting, both parties deliberated on various sectors of mutual interest, including tourism, agriculture, technology, technical training, and manufacturing. Ms. Rose Mwaura emphasized the vital role that KEPSA plays in advocating for a conducive business environment in Kenya. She also highlighted Kenya's position within the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which serves as a gateway for the free movement of goods within the region. Additionally, she discussed the importance of value addition in locally manufactured products to facilitate trade between the two countries, as well as the potential for organizing joint business forums.

Mrs. Joan Thomas Edwards outlined key areas of cooperation between Jamaica and the Kenyan private sector, particularly in tourism. She expressed interest in positioning both countries as tourism destinations and proposed raising awareness among tour operators to deepen their understanding of both markets. She also noted the similarities between the East African Community and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), which offers broader markets for trade. Further, she emphasized the technology exchange, particularly in digital programs relevant to the youth.

This meeting took place during the working visit of the Jamaican High Commissioner, who is scheduled to present her credentials to His Excellency President William Ruto on June 12, 2024. As part of her visit, Mrs. Joan has agreed to be the Chief Guest at the KEPSA SME Pre-lending training program on Thursday, a program that focuses on training young entrepreneurs on utilizing loans for business sustainability and growth.