KNCCI urges SMEs to embrace engineering technology

By: Correspondent


The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Vice Chairman Laban Onditi has called on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to embrace engineering technology so as to enhance waste management in the country.While addressing exhibitors at the ongoing International Plastics and Packaging conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Onditi said the plastic industry plays an integral role in creating employment opportunities but faces a huge challenges in terms of waste management and disposal.

He said talks are underway with the Government of India through the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), an autonomous Institution that offers training, education and research on plastics to offer training to about 40 Kenyans drawn from various sectors on best waste management practices.

The institute also plans to set up a centre in Kenya to support the sector in East Africa. This comes at a time when the industry is expected to register a growth rate of between 15-20% in the coming years and the only way to meet such demand would be by creating new manufacturing facilities and capacities instead of depending on imports of finished products.

India's High Commissioner Yogeshwar Varma

The three day convention is targeting the country’s untapped plastic market and economic growth opportunities following the ongoing huge infrastructure investments. The engineering institute hopes also to tap into the sector which could be the backbone of small and medium enterprises as well create job opportunities for the youth.

The conference is also focusing on the latest machines, technology and materials that would be appropriate for plastic industries in the region. Over 150 exhibitors from 15 countries are participating in the forum which was inaugurated by India’s High Commissioner Yogeshwar Varma.
“Exhibitions such as this act as a catalyst to accelerate the pace of growth of any industry and this expo will influence new entrepreneurs to start plastics industry as it is easy to start by anyone, anywhere, anytime and any size,” the High Commissioner said.

He said the sector has massive potential for growth and called on industry players through the Chamber of Commerce to provide strategic support and such forums should encourage industrialists in other sectors to diversify into plastics processing business.