The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) will spend KES 7.5mn to digitalise its processes.
The funding, to be provided by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) will support design and development of an online web portal that will automate issuance of Certificates of Origin.
A certificate of origin is an important export instrument that allows exporters duty preferences while accessing the requisite exports destination markets.
The automation process will include membership automation as well as the certificate of origin and KNCCI will be able to register members online from the County Chambers as well as at the National level.
KNCCI CEO Charles Mbogori said the application, verification, approvals and payments would all be undertaken online and this would assist KNCCI in service delivery to members and also enhance recruitment process.
“The signing of the financing agreement between KNCCI and TMEA is a milestone to trade facilitation process in Kenya. The automation process will include membership automation as well as the certificate of origin and KNCCI will be able to register members online from the County Chambers as well as at the National level,” said Mr. Mbogori.
The TMEA Kenya Country Director Chris Kiptoo the e-portal will improve delivery of services to traders expediting the processing of certificates which will reduce costs that traders and exporters experience as a result of delays.
The portal is in response to the challenge exporters’ face in accessing manual certificates of origin including delays and will enhance security of the exports documents.
The automation is in line with trade facilitation objectives of Kenyan government. With the online portal, KNCCI stakeholders will apply for certificates of origin online.
Additionally, they will readily access relevant trade information, apply for and renew membership, submit payments online. The portal will also include business development process which will entail online registration, automated verification and processing of registration, online payment for registration and automated issuance of registration.
