Lodwar: About 2,250 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Turkana are set to benefit from a two-year capacity-building program aimed at helping them meet international trade standards and tap into global markets. The initiative is a partnership between the Turkana County Government and the International Trade Center (ITC), with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
According to Kenya News Agency, this was revealed during a consultative meeting between county officials and ITC representatives at the Department of Trade, Gender and Tourism headquarters in Lodwar. County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Gender and Tourism, Roseline Aite, emphasized the county's commitment to positioning local MSMEs for export opportunities, particularly those involved in value-added beekeeping, basketry, and other traditional crafts.
Chief Officer for Trade and Enterprise Development, Pauline Tang'arae, highlighted Turkana's unique cultural identity as a competitive advantage in the global supply chain. She noted that with proper branding and certification, Turkana-made products have the potential to command niche markets abroad.
The ITC's National Project Coordinator, Halkano Jilo Boru, outlined the project's goal of unlocking economic potential in underserved regions like Turkana. He stressed the importance of ensuring that entrepreneurs in remote areas can find a place in international markets, as Turkana holds untapped opportunities that international trade can help realize.
According to project plans, MSMEs will receive training in branding, product certification, value addition, and compliance with international standards, which are critical steps to penetrate and sustain presence in foreign markets. Both the County Government and ITC expressed confidence that the initiative will increase incomes, boost job creation, and strengthen youth livelihoods in the region.
Also present during the meeting were Senior Trade Officer Samuel Edoket, and ITC officials Beuchen Ben and Julius Lokaale.