Kenya Chamber President Ngatia calls for level business playing field, affirms investors’ confidence
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) once again affirmed investors’ confidence in the country for both Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), big corporates and multinationals.
While addressing the media during a full National Delegates Committee (NDC) meeting yesterday, the national business lobby group also called for level business playing field to cushion SMEs and startups from unfair business competition.
“As chamber, we welcome and encourage big corporate entities to invest into the country to support efforts and process of recovery particularly targeting the SME community to provide a level playing field to cushion them from undue competition and subsequent closure.” KNCCI president Richard Ngatia said.
The board committed to enhancing integrity among players, to guarantee investor confidence.
However, they singled out balanced reporting on matters business and economy a prerequisite to relay accurate information to the various segments of the nation and the world.
Ngatia called upon the Fourth Estate to partner with the private sector in emulating developed economies to articulate progressive agenda and hold onto the gains especially no the global economy is devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also encouraged other entities to join the chamber making it clear KNCCI is not “in competition”, rather, committed to advancing the interests of all Kenya business people, enterprises and corporates both locally and internationally.
“While we appreciate, support and applaud the Fourth Estate in execution of their watchdog and informative role in the society, we call for ethical and balanced coverage devoid of unsubstantiated claims and innuendos. As witnessed in the past, unsubstantiated disparaging reportage on matters business and economy is a huge risk factor that could precipitate massive losses and absolute closure of thriving enterprises and corporates.” Ngatia said.
Ngatia said supportive policies are enablers to build investors’ confidence and attract key FDI flows needed to support economic recovery, create employment and alleviating poverty.
“It is our cardinal obligation to build investors’ confidence that they won’t be victims of witch hunt for doing legitimate business,” Ngatia added.
They welcomed the government initiative through the economic stimulus programs initiated and for promoting the ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ rallying call to support local businesses.
“We want to unequivocally declare that these are the gains we will jealously safeguard from being rolled back through undue interference by external forces. We wish to assure the private sector and all our members that we shall relentlessly engage with the government and other like-minded stakeholders moving forward,” said Ngatia.
