Kenyan firms eye 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation markets as trade chamber appoints new board

Kenyan firms eye 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation markets as trade chamber appoints new board - The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development Kenya Vice-President, Shahid Yakub, alongside other newly appointed board members. (Photo: Courtesy)

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development Kenya (ICCDK) has appointed five board members to oversee efforts to connect local businesses with markets in the Gulf and other OIC member countries.

Kenyan businesses could gain access to markets across 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states under a new initiative seeking to expand trade links, improve Halal certification and attract investment.

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development Kenya (ICCDK) has appointed five board members to oversee efforts to connect local businesses with markets in the Gulf and other OIC member countries.

The appointments come as the organisation seeks to open opportunities for Kenyan agricultural producers, livestock traders, tea exporters and manufacturers to reach international buyers.

Chaired by ICCDK President Ambassador Abdirazak Siyad and Vice-President Shahid Yakub, Mohammed Noor, Abubakar Bajaber, Prof Abdullatif Essajee, Sheikh Badru Jaffar and Kowthar Ali were named to the board during its inaugural orientation meeting.

The board will oversee governance, legal affairs, finance, trade, Halal standards, Islamic finance, regional expansion and public affairs.

Speaking virtually during the meeting, Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development Secretary-General Yousef Hassan Khalawi said Kenya was strategically positioned to benefit from the global Islamic economy.

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He reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to strengthening trade links across East Africa, attracting foreign direct investment and expanding market access for Kenyan products.

The organisation is also targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often face challenges meeting international certification requirements and accessing trade finance.

Through its affiliation with the International Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, ICCDK is expected to link Kenyan businesses to a network covering 57 OIC member states and Gulf Cooperation Council economies.

One of the areas identified is Halal certification, auditing and compliance, which could help Kenyan exporters meet requirements in markets where such standards are mandatory.

The initiative also seeks to explore Shariah-compliant financial technology, trade finance and liquidity solutions to address financing challenges facing small businesses.

However, the success of the initiative will depend on how effectively local businesses, particularly smaller enterprises, access the proposed trade networks, financing opportunities and certification services.

ICCDK is the Kenyan affiliate of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, an international non-governmental organisation affiliated with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.