The Department of Internal trade is responsible for trade development policy, promotion of retail and wholesale markets and promotion of regional trade (EAC and COMESA).
Mission: To Facilitate Orderly Growth and Development of Domestic Trade in Kenya.
Vision: To Be a Leader in Promoting Competitive Domestic Trade in Kenya.
From the above two broad mandates, the Department of Internal Trade derives her functions as:-
- Formulation, review and monitoring implementation of domestic trade policies in collaboration with county governments;
- Monitor the impact of trade policies and practices on domestic trade;
- Conduct research on trade related matters e.g. in product design, marketing, distribution, and use of ICT and E-commerce;
- Coordination of the activities of all national institutions and agencies responsible for facilitation of domestic to provide trade support services through trade facilitation, access to business information , advice on standards, packaging, quality control, marketing and distributional channels .
- Promotion of wholesale and retail trade and markets through initiatives such as:-
- Promoting programmes on franchising in wholesale business in rural areas;
- Developing skills upgrading programs in wholesaling and distribution;
- Identifying areas where markets can be established
- Establishment and construction of wholesale hubs and tier 1 retail markets;
- Simplification of business licensing (One Stop Shop for licensing, registration and taxation);
- Facilitate the establishment of BMOs and promotion of the formation of Producer Business Groups.
- Facilitating increased access to trade finance for the development of Micro and Small Enterprises
- Provision of business advisory services to BMOs to enhance competitiveness, growth and development of their enterprises
- Profiling of Domestic markets to promote trade and investment opportunities
- Liaison with County Governments and other relevant stakeholders on promotion of trade development programmes and activities
The Department is organized in three Divisions namely Trade Policy Division; Business Support Services Division; and Trade Monitoring and Research Division. The responsibility of the divisions are listed below:
Trade Policy Division
- Formulation and review of domestic trade policies
- Identify Trade Policy issues impacting on the competitiveness and growth of trade and investment
- Undertake research on trade policy issues
- Publicize, articulate and explain the research findings and recommendation to the stakeholders
- Promotion of use of E-Commerce
- Collaborate and monitor trade development activities in counties in the Rift valley and Nairobi regions
Business Support Services Division
- Promoting and facilitating cross border trade
- Facilitating increased access to trade finance
- Provision of trade information to stakeholders
- Conduct research on trade related matters
- Facilitate Market Access
- Collaborate and monitor trade development activities in counties in Nyanza, Western and Central Regions
Trade Monitoring and Research Division
- Implementation of Vision 2030 flagship projects aimed at improving the supply chain in the country
- Conduct research on trade related matters
- Publicize, articulate and explain the research findings and recommendation to the stakeholders
- Gathering and dissemination of trade information
- Profile the domestic markets to map trade opportunities
- Collaborate and monitor trade development activities in counties in Eastern, North Eastern and Coast Regions