Secretary of State Bob Evnen returned Wednesday from a one-week trade and investment mission to Kenya.
“Kenya has one of the strongest economies in East Africa and is a trade gateway into the region. This trade mission continued to grow and solidify Nebraska’s trade relationship with Kenya,” Evnen said.
The primary focus of the trade mission was the promotion of Nebraska corn growers, Nebraska producers of ethanol and dried distillers grains, and Nebraska irrigation technology companies. Representatives from each of these areas participated in the trade mission, in addition to animal nutrition experts from the University of Nebraska.
“Our meeting with Kenya President William Ruto was very productive and encouraging,” Evnen said. “Nebraska businesses are already present in the region and are ready to expand their presence.”
The trade delegation also met with the governors of two Kenya counties with robust agricultural sectors who are interested in trade deals with Nebraska businesses.
Among the delegates who participated in the trade and investment mission was Jay Reiners, former chair of the Nebraska Corn Board and current vice chairman of the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council. “I have participated in many trade missions promoting Nebraska corn. None of them were more effective than the trade mission to Kenya just completed by the Nebraska Secretary of State,” Reiners said about the experience.
The Nebraska Secretary of State conducts trade missions as part of the Secretary’s statutory responsibility to promote international trade, education and culture on behalf of Nebraska.
