DUBUY.com, a global wholesale e-commerce platform is now in Kenya.
The UAE-based innovative online marketplace will help unlock access to global markets for Kenyan businesses.
This is a product of global trade enabler DP World which has a worldwide ports and logistics network.
DUBUY.com was launched by Cabinet Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development David Osiany who said the portal’s expansion to Kenya is a welcome move that will enable Kenyan businesses to reach global markets seamlessly.
“This is a great step in reviving and empowering our Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya as they embark on a Post Covid-19 recovery Journey. It will enable our SMEs to import and export seamlessly to Dubai and the rest of the Gulf countries including Turkey and India, thereby omitting costly middlemen and increasing profit for the businesses,” said CAS Osiany.
The platform will have features to avail timely regulatory information, alerts, notifications and any other changes taking place at the border that will be relevant to traders in order to ensure that their border transactions are not affected.
“This platform is part of the digital economy blueprint that will embrace new technological and logistical innovations that will enable Kenya’s and Africa’s ability to leapfrog economic growth for sustainable development,” CAS Osiany added.
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency has been a key partner in this initiative.
CEO Dr Wilfred Marube who was also present at the launch welcomed the move saying the agency is keen to embrace digital platforms in promoting Kenya exports and linking Kenyan exporters to international markets.
“As an Agency charged with promotion of Kenya exports in the global markets, we have had to re-look at our promotion models and take advantage of information technology to ensure that we deliver on our mandate. Export promotion is not just about exhibiting. It is also about offering A-Z support to exporters and linking them to markets, and this is exactly what we continue doing as we turn to digital models,” he said.
As such, the Agency has also partnered with other global e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Amazon to enable Kenya to penetrate untapped markets, link new buyers to Kenyan made products while also giving ample space for research on Kenyan products, and online purchases from buyers in different countries.
KEPROBA is also setting up a robust e-portal platform that will link Kenyan exporters to buyers from across the world.
The fully integrated and interactive portal will provide exporters, buyers and sellers with an opportunity to showcase and trade their products globally.
It will also be a reservoir of information for various stakeholders to influence trade, investments and positive nation brand.
“The future is digital. Our fully integrated and interactive portal will provide exporters, buyers and sellers with an opportunity to showcase and trade their products globally. It will also be a reservoir of information for various stakeholders to influence trade, investments and positive nation brands. We are thus creating an e-commerce platform that will literally offer a transactional handshake for online engagement, meetings and exhibitions,” Dr Marube said.
By leveraging on these platforms, Kenyan entrepreneurs can take charge in transforming business operations across the continent, opening the continent to new markets, technological advancement and ultimately becoming the leading free trade facilitators.
By Fred Azelwa.