German Executives Scouting for Investments in the Print and Packaging Industry in Kenya

A group of German investors are in Kenya scouting for investment opportunities within the printing and packaging sector.

The trip organised by the The German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (“Außenhandelskammer” aka AHK), saw the group hold talks with about 60 Kenyan firms seeking direct links with the manufacturers.

The AHK Country Director for Kenya, Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, said executives from about eight companies of the European company are keen on partnering with Kenyan printing firms in launching new products and technologies to meet growing demand for packaging materials across East Africa.

Germany’s Deputy Head of Mission in Kenya and Economic Affairs Head Michael Derus said increased agro-processing in Kenya has created a new market for the printing and packaging material manufacturers which German companies are keen to exploit.

Most printing machines in Kenya are imported from Germany but the users suffer production losses due to lack of skilled personnel to service and maintain them.

“Kenyan students are trained using outdated printing technology that we no longer use and when they come to our factories, they meet ‘monsters’ they know nothing about. This has forced us to source for expatriates Germany to carry out repairs and that has proved costly,” said the Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Ltd’s Printing and Packaging Sector Head Mohan Krishnaswami.