The Woodtech Africa Group has unveiled an international exhibition for Wood and Jua Kali working industry with a focus on exploring new opportunities at the forefront of innovation in the global market.
The exhibition brought together both national and global exhibitors, industry leaders, innovators and trade enthusiasts who joined to showcase the latest trends, technologies and expertise in the timber and Jua Kali industries.
Speaking at the event, Secretary Administration in the State Department of Industry Karanja Njora said that the government is set to implement a policy that intends to ban the importation of wood products that can be produced locally.
He added that the expo will be an eye opener to new insights on the technology required to make the ban successful.
Njora stated, “If we can be given the technology necessary for that, we can be able to enforce that ban. Because we are asking ourselves, why should we continue importing tables, chairs, beds made from timber and yet we have timber here, we have people who are trained; who have the skills, sometimes what we lack maybe is the technology because we want to move with the modern types”.
Further, Njora explained that engaging in the importation of timber products amounts to exporting jobs while the country’s youth is experiencing a blow of unemployment.
He claimed that one way to avoid it, is to ensure there are manufacturers based in the country.
In addition, Njora encouraged investors interested in manufacturing to take spaces in the industry as the government sets industrial parks in every county to support and equip producers with facilities necessary to excel in their activities.
He at the same time stressed that the government will equip the parks with modern facilities to grant an inclusive and equal business environment to all involved parties.
“That is the direction we are taking because we want to ensure youth have jobs and also ensure we stop importing things that we can make. This way we save the jobs and we save the dollar so that our shilling becomes stronger by exporting what we are not able to consume.” Njora reiterated.
Addressing journalists during the media briefing, the Director of Bola Properties Limited Malei Nthiwa who was the key organizer of the expo stated that the exhibition had attracted close to over 15 countries which participated in the trade show.
The Director admitted that the expo was majorly specialized to target the wood industry with a leading theme being ‘Selling the Concept of Market Aggregation’.
“This idea is a new concept in the country and in events management because it seeks to bring manufacturers, end use, the government and the banks in one platform for business trading to succeed,” he declared.
Nthiwa equally believes that the exhibition is timely because the government is working on two key projects; the Affordable Housing Program and the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks which are multibillion projects that reflect operation mode of the Timber and Jua Kali industries.
By Nkooma Samson and Juma Nalami
