Makueni County Arts, Trade and Investment Policy 2022

Abstract

Trade and investment play a significant role in a country’s growth and development through their linkages with all the sectors of the economy by creating markets through which goods and services get to the consumer. Trade also plays a critical role in poverty reduction through employment creation in informal, retail, and wholesale trade and provides MSMEs with opportunities of accessing more favourable prices in markets thereby ensuring equitable income distribution. The integration, linkage and synergy of both local and international trade policies are important ingredients in achieving the overall aim of making Kenya a competitive and efficient market and export-oriented economy. Kenya’s producers including at the county level will be internationally competitive if they operate in efficient and well-organized domestic market conditions as the competitive challenge in the home market is a stimulus to preparation for exporting. With respect to trade, county governments have constitutionally been assigned functions relating to the development and regulation of markets, trade licensing, and fair trade practices inter alia. At the county level, trade contributes immensely towards economic development through creation of sustainable livelihoods by way of employment opportunities, increased household incomes, and enhanced ability to afford health services, education and basic needs.