The Kenya-Slovak Business Forum was held on 19^th May 2022 at the Sarova Panafric Hotel. The forum was co-hosted by KEPSA in partnership with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kenya; the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO); Slovakia’s ministries of Economy and the Foreign and European Affairs; the European Regional Development Fund among other partners. The forum brought together Slovak companies, business leaders, public sector leaders as well as Kenyan private sector leaders and other stakeholders.  

Present at the event were H.E Katarina Zuffa – Ambassador of Slovakia to Kenya; Mr. Martijn Boelen – EU Trade Counsellor; Mr. Victor Ogalo – KEPSA Deputy CEO, Business; Mr. Egon Zorad – SARIO Director of Foreign Trade; Mr. Samuel Matonda – CEO, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) among other stakeholders.

In her remarks, Ambassador Zuffa noted that the forum provides an opportunity for companies to explore business opportunities, adding that Slovakia considers Kenya as an economic engine of the region. She also noted that the visiting delegation is one of the largest trade missions from Slovakia to Kenya with more than 18 companies. “I’m very happy that we made it through COVID that has shown the weaknesses of our society, and emerged to be able to make new partnerships. We are here to help other companies build better, being accompanied here by companies in the sectors that aims at addressing global challenges such consequences of the climate crisis, renewable energy, agriculture and security,” She remarked.

The EU Trade Counsellor Mr. Boelen said that he was pleased to see such occasions that provide an opportunity for engagement between entrepreneurs from EU member states and local entrepreneurs while revealing that the European market remains the largest export destination even after the Brexit. “We have a large pool of money available not only for Kenya but also for the wider African region through the European Investment Bank and also from our development fund meant for Africa to continue to leverage private sector investment,” He said. He also added that the EU’s focus in Kenya is sustainability, environmental change and digitalization.

On his part, Mr. Victor Ogalo noted that the fact that Kenya is among the fastest-growing economies in the continent, the demand for innovative solutions and value addition keeps growing and therefore numerous opportunities exist for investment across all sectors. “We welcome opportunities to create linkages with Slovak companies and tap into their skills, technology and expertise, and share our ideas and knowledge of the culture and the desires of our people,” Said Mr. Ogalo. He concluded by inviting the Slovak businesses to work with their Kenyan counterparts to open up Kenya and the region. Mr. Ogalo’s sentiments were echoed by KNCCI CEO who noted that the private sector in Kenya is united and working in harmony for a common goal of promoting partnerships.

The SARIO representative Mr. Egon Zorad noted that Kenya is an important country in Eastern Africa with strong economic potential and Slovakia sees a great deal in improving and expanding ties for the greater good of the two countries. “I’m absolutely confident that this platform will undoubtedly contribute a great deal and improve development in Kenya and Slovakia,” Said Mr. Zorad while adding that SARIO would be willing to host a Kenyan business delegation in Slovakia.

The forum featured presentations from SARIO on available opportunities and later B2B sessions. It emerged that Slovakia has a huge business potential owing to its geographical location – it’s located at the centre of Europe which means businesses setting up in the country have an opportunity to expand to the rest of the EU market. Furthermore, about 90% of businesses in Slovakia are SMEs.