USA-Kenya Chamber of Commerce
OVERVIEW
www.uskcc.org
JUNE 2008
VISION: Enhance mutual partnership and
investment between the USA and Kenya.
Mission
Strategy
Enhance investment
partnerships between
US & Kenyan
businesses.
Build a network of business professionals
Build familiarity with Kenya and the US & related business
climates & opportunities
Encourage foreign
investment in Kenya.
Create awareness about the Kenyan economy, political
stability, business opportunities and support, business policies
and regulations
Illuminate existing
business opportunities
in Kenya and the US.
Build awareness of business opportunities amongst potential &
existing investors.
Foster idea exchange about current and potential markets for
goods and services.
Identify markets in the
US for Kenyan goods
& services and vice
versa.
Build relationships with regional US and other country
chambers of commerce
Build relationships with US government officials
Build relationships with US big businesses
Build relationships with marketing firms (initially one in Kenya,
one in US)
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VISION: Enhance mutual partnership and
investment between the USA and Kenya.
Mission
Strategy
Foster networks between Kenyan and
US business professionals.
Identify common areas of business interest and gaps.
Influence business policy making to support and
facilitate business ventures.
Influence incentives that drive &
support economic development in
Kenya.
Influence, contribute to and participate in policy
making.
Attract investors who will improve Kenyan
infrastructure.
Provide guidance, information and
support needed to expedite
investment in Kenya.
Build Kenya specific knowledge that will expedite
investment in Kenya.
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MESSAGE TO ALL INVESTORS
Africa is geographically advantaged having
rich natural resources with huge potential and
will be the new development frontier of the 21st
Century. The continent has its centre of
stability and progress and Kenya is one of
them.
INTRODUCTION
Your Ultimate Investment Partner
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The Republic of Kenya is in East Africa
and neighbours Ethiopia, Somalia,
Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan.
Size:582,646 sq kms.
Population:36.1 million (2006)
GDP:$20 billion(2005
Per capita:$3,000
Kenya is a member of UN, AU, EAC,
COMESA, ACP, Non Aligned Movement,
and WTO among others. It hosts
headquarters of UNEP and Habitat.
Kenya is also a regional headquarters for
numerous
international
and
NGO
Agencies. It also hosts regional offices of
World Bank, IMF, IFC, WHO, UNDP,
UNHCR,
UNESCO,
East
African
Development
Bank,
Eastern
and
Southern
African
Trade
and
Development Bank (PTA Bank) among
others.
Economic Growth
7
6
5
4
GDP
3
2
1
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
INDICATORS

Tourism Growth by
over 1.6 Million Visitors
–Yr 2006 with earnings
increasing to Kshs
56.2
Billion.
International
arrivals
have hit over 1.6
million in 2006 with US
surpassing Germany in
terms of arrivals and
second after UK.
INDICATORS
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Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE)
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Capitalisation of the Nairobi Stock Exchange has grown
tremendously and further growth is expected with new IPO’s ie
Safaricom and Telkom
TAX INCENTIVES AVAILABLE IN KENYA
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Tax incentives are mainly in place to promote investment or
exports. Major tax incentives available include:
Investment Deduction Allowances (IDA): introduced in
1991 to encourage new investment,
Industrial Building Allowance: granted on cost of
construction of buildings used for manufacturing purposes
and also hotel premises,
Capital Expenditure on agricultural land: targeted at
farmers who incur capital expenditure in the course of their
operations
Mining deduction allowance: granted to businessmen
involved in mining,
Import duty set off: allows import duty paid on import of
capital equipment to be set off against income tax payable
TAX INCENTIVES AVAILABLE IN KENYA

Export
Processing
Zones: allow for duty and
VAT free importation of
inputs for production of
export products within
specified
zones.
Incentives include 10
year
tax
holiday,
exemptions from stamp
duty,
non liability on
income tax for non
resident employees, etc,
TAX INCENTIVES
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Manufacture
under
bond: also allow for duty
and VAT free importation
but
require
that
corporation tax be paid,
Tax Remissions Export
Office: TREO primarily
involves VAT refunds
since duty on most of
their inputs is already at
0%
KNOWLEDGE BASED INDUSTRIES
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Research & development
Biotechnology
Science & Industrial parks
Information Technology enabled services
Assembly lines
Technology & Opportunities
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Fibre Optic cable
Telecommunications
Information and Communication
Business process Oportunities
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Fibre Optic cable
eCommerce legislation (2009)
Back office operations and call centers
Software development and consultancy
Internet services, web development
Hardware assembly and repairs
Privatization of telecommunication providers
Provision of Information and Communication Training for growing market
Provision of fixed telephone services
Development of broad band Infrastructure
Investment in digital radio and television
Alternative energy
TRADE AND INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITIES- For Who?
Foreign Investors
 Importers
 Kenyans in the Diaspora
 Development Partners
 International Institutions
 etc
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KENYA- AN INDUSTRIAL AND
SERVICES HUB IN THE EA REGION
Barclays Bank
Shell
Nation Media Group
British American Tobacco
Technology & Opportunities
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Function of USKCC
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Networking opportunities
Workshops
Updates on major projects impacting business
Updates on policies impacting business
Policy
Areas of interest
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Technology Infrastructure
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Fiber Optic – track progress
Telecommunications – key for BPO
Alternative energies
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Link a minimum of 2 companies to Kenya
Enhance partnerships leading to:
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pilot projects on green energy
Commercialization of green energy
Training [programming languages, help desk support, analysis, data entry etc.]
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Recent USKCC May 31st Event
Recent USKCC Event
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Business opportunities in the US & Kenya
3.5% growth even after post-election violence
 Ex-Im lending (comparison btw. China & other
regions of the world).
 AGOA (%age of oil export from Africa vs. other
goods and services).
 Health and existing gaps and opportunities.
 US Dept. of Commerce & services.
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Upcoming Events
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August 21st 2008: AGOA Workshop
August 22nd 2008: Q3 report on African Trade and
Investment Opportunities (presented by Harambe group
after visits to Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and
Ethiopia)
September 26th 2008: USKCC Annual Golf Classic.
(co-sponsored by Ex-Im bank)
November 14th 2008: Business and Health Forum
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Questions?
For more information don’t
forget to get a brochure
Visit us at uskcc.org
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