Today's Presidential Round Table meeting focused on enhancing global competitiveness in critical sectors: ICT, Financial Services, and Agriculture. This builds upon the deliberations of the previous meeting held on 12^th March 2024 at State House, Nairobi, which revolved around Tourism, Manufacturing, a bit of Agriculture, and financial services.

The KEPSA members present were KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki and Vice-Chair Ms. Brenda Mbathi, Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), Kenya Association of Stockbrokers and Investment Banks (KASIB), Equity Bank, KCB, Safaricom, Sarova Hotels and Resort Kenya, Centum, Capwell Industries, IX Africa, Clamantis, DL Group, Capital Realtime, Flamingo Horticulture, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The KNCCI was present too, led by its chair, Dr Eric Rutto, among others, representing 6 sectors of Manufacturing, ICT, Agriculture, International investors, Tourism & Labour, and Financial services as sectors for discussion on global competitiveness.

The Government side was led by the President and several ministers and other government officials, including Cabinet Secretaries Hon. Rebecca Miano (Investments, Trade & Industry) and Hon. Mithika Linturi (Agriculture and Livestock Development); Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy; Mr. Abubakar Hassan, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion; Mr. Adan Mohamed, Chief of Strategy Execution, Executive Office of the President and representatives of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), were present, reiterating the commitment to structured dialogue between the private sector and the government.

The President affirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to collaborate closely with the private sector in a shared mission to advance Kenya’s economic interests and secure a prosperous future for all Kenyans. He recognized businesses' vital role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and stimulating economic growth. He committed to working closely to create an enabling environment that empowers businesses to thrive and compete globally.

Deliberations with the private sector technical teams and representatives from the different Ministries are ongoing, and a comprehensive outcomes report will be shared. A follow-up meeting with the president will be held in early May to address any pending matters and begin discussions on other sectors. The private sector commits to actively collaborate with the government to foster public-private partnerships and implement policies that foster growth and resilience across these sectors.

Today's Presidential Round Table meeting marks another milestone in the private sector, ensuring continuous engagement with the government through structured dialogue and ensuring a unified voice on social and economic issues for the past twenty years. It is a culmination of the ongoing deliberations under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment that seek to collate different private sector issues affecting business costs, including the cost of raw materials, cost of utilities, labour productivity, logistics, and cost and tenure of credit.

KEPSA has, over the last 20 years, rallied the private sector to engage and speak in one voice to the government through structured dialogue as a social and economic partner to the government. The engagement is from the lowest to the highest level of the three arms of government, including presidential round tables.