The Mombasa International ASK Show concluded on a high note with a resounding call for industries to commercialize groundbreaking innovations from universities and colleges, so as to fuel economic growth, enhance productivity and drive efficiency.
The week-long event themed: Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth, showcased trailblazing innovations from tertiary institutions.
Taita-Taveta University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Fred Simiyu Barasa hailed this year’s exhibition for its impressive innovations, creativity and industrial value addition, highlighting their contribution to the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The innovations by universities, he said, contribute to the government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“We are seeing a lot of knowledge and skills being exhibited by our young scientists and researchers. We also saw a lot of expanded participation of industries and different players in this ASK show. We have also seen international participation,” stated the VC.
“This is a great feet for our country. I think there is a lot of work happening in Kenya. We are calling upon the great people of the industry to come and participate actively in the commercialization of the innovations that are coming out of the industry,” he appealed.
The VC noted that when different actors team up to harness their energy, skills, research capacity and industrial production and productivity, the country would be catapulted to self-sufficient and export market.
Furthermore, the VC encouraged students to pursue agriculture courses to support the country’s food security agenda.
“It is often said everybody likes to eat, but people don’t want to do agriculture. We must come and be able to do this so that we can be able to build our country,” he said.
On his part, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa County Chairman, Aboud Jamal, affirmed that as a business community, they would support and work with officials to build on the successes of the Mombasa International Show to continue soaring to greater heights.
“From the private sector, we will continue to support and walk with you in this journey to make sure that our innovations that are coming up from these great institutes are scaled up and commercialized,” stated the chairman.
Meanwhile, Jamal has assured business people that discussions were ongoing with the County Government of Mombasa to resolve concerns on the unified single business permit.
He encouraged the local business fraternity to support the county government’s efforts geared towards streamlining trade through the new unified permit that combines fire, emergency and waste management charges.
The ASK Mombasa Chairman Henry Nyaga thanked the president for officially opening the week-long exhibitions.
He further lauded all the participating exhibitors promising a bigger show next year.
By Sadik Hassan
