 | KENYA
[Carole Kimutai] For the fifth year running, the National Economic Survey has identified the retail and wholesale trade sectors as key growth drivers of Kenya's economy. In 2011, the wholesale and retail trade sector showed a growth of 7.3%, beating the manufacturing, building and construction, agriculture, transport and communication sectors. |
| KENYA
[Carole Kimutai] Kenyan retail outlet Nakumatt Holdings is opening a multimedia store that will be branded as Planet Media and is reportedly valued at KSh 25 million (USD 312 000). The store will feature Kenya's largest selection of books, toys and entertainment mediums including music and movie CD's and DVD's alongside a fully fledged interactive gaming section. |
| KENYA
[Carole Kimutai] It is that time of the year - the season of promotions, raffles, freebies and sales. But marketers in Kenya have to work twice as hard because of high inflation that has seen the cost of living go up. Basic commodity prices have almost doubled in the last 12 months and consumers have been forced to dig deeper into their pockets and make tough choices when it comes to purchases. |
| EAST AFRICA  [Carole Kimutai] E Tourism Frontiers, an online tourism training company will host a series of one-day seminars in three East African countries. The seminars in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be held between 25 May and 22 June 2011.
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| KENYA [Carole Kimutai] Banks are now the next target for cybercrime, ICT experts have warned. Tom Omariba, UUNET MD, says cyber criminals have perfected the art of hacking into people's or organisations' bank accounts through replication of domain names. They then use the information to acccess banking details that enable them to withdraw money from their victim's accounts. |
 | UGANDA  [Walter Wafula] Star QT, a South Africa-based clothing line and fashion label is set to be launched in Kampala this August to increase the popularity of the brand and its products in Uganda.
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| EAST AFRICA [Walter Wafula] Star Café the producers of Star Coffee in Uganda are set to unveil a new premium instant coffee brand to the world this June, Elijah Njoroge the company's GM said. |
| KENYA [Carole Kimutai] As the battle for consumers rages on in Kenya, CompuLynx, an international IT and business solutions provider has unveiled iSMART Lite - a locally developed retail management software solution targeting small size supermarket outlets. |
| KENYA [Carole Kimutai] The Kenya Commercial Bank Group (KCB) has launched a quickserve ATM in the country. The new MCR's Intelligent Deposit ATM has a touch screen and is capable of handling cash in both Kenya shillings and US dollars. The ATM costs about KSh5.4 million. |
| EAST AFRICA [Walter Wafula] Barclays Bank has flagged off a group of 15 Uganda businesspeople to the Canton III Fair in China to strengthen trade ties with their Chinese counterparts. The trade fair will take place between 31 October and 4 November 2009. |
| KENYA
[Carole Kimutai] James Finlay (Kenya), a local tea extracts manufacturing firm, has announced the commencement of a phased shutting down of its Mara Mara Tea Extracts factory located in Kericho, Rift Valley. Finlay's sales volumes have been affected by the economic downturn and increasing competition from lower cost production centres. |
| UGANDA [Walter Wafula] Ugandan businesspeople have been urged to invest in mini-hydro power projects to encourage the establishment of cottage industries across the country. |
 | EAST AFRICA [Titus Kaloki] A bid by East African Breweries Limited (EABL) to end its partnership with competitor, South African Breweries Miller (SABMiller), and join another brewer was put on hold by a UK court. In a ruling passed last week, Diageo - majority shareholder in EABL with a 50% stake - and SABMiller were ordered to begin an arbitration process. |
| UGANDA [Walter Wafula] Ugandan businesses are on the hunt for cheaper and advanced financing options at the stock market according to a fund manager at African Alliance in Kampala. |
| UGANDA
[Walter Wafula] Nakumatt Holdings a supermarket chain in Kenya plans to open its first outlet in Uganda in April, a move that is expected to result in reduced prices on some products amid stiff competition in the market. |
| UGANDA [Walter Wafula] Uganda's United Bank of Africa (UBA) has introduced an account that requires no deposit or maintenance fees. |
| KENYA [Carole Kimutai] Kenya's Nakumatt Holdings will soon unveil its plans to launch convenience stores (c-stores) as part of its expansion plans following a viability study showing a gap in the Kenyan market. |
| UGANDA [Walter Wafula] Growing demand by Ugandans and international travellers is driving more airlines to Entebbe International Airport. |
| UGANDA [Walter Wafula] Kenyan Commercial Bank became the 10th firm listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange as the Kampala-based stock market celebrated its 10th anniversary on November 11, 2008. |
| KENYA [Carole Kimutai] Economic crunch forces Kenyan shoppers to change consumption habits. |
