The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has unveiled the Karibu Business Support Centre (KBSC) to provide a one-stop platform for businesses to access financial services. Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, speaking at the launch, highlighted the center’s role in streamlining access to financial services for businesses.
“KBSC will provide a consolidated approach for businesses to access loans and other financial services, promoting the growth of manufacturing and Kenyan businesses both locally and globally,” stated Miano.
The center will facilitate access to loans and financial services such as the Hustler Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. Additionally, businesses can access financing services from the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) and the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) for debt, equity financing, and industrial financing.
Miano also outlined the Ministry’s primary objectives, stating, “My ministry is currently focused on promoting and facilitating investments, enhancing the contribution of domestic and export trade to the GDP, and increasing the contribution of manufacturing to the GDP.”
The Karibu Business Centre, located at the 16th Floor of the NSSF Building in Nairobi, will also offer advisory services and provide linkage to opportunities in foreign countries for Kenyan businesses.
Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana emphasized the center’s role in connecting Kenyan businesses with international opportunities, saying, “We are looking at this Karibu Business Center to be an important place where we will know who is demanding what, we will be putting together deals, what is that Japan, Germany needs. We will know who needs what.”
