NAIROBI, Kenya July 18- Jaswinder Bedi has been elected the new Chairman of the Kenyan Association of Manufacturers (KAM) taking over the two-year reign from outgoing Chairman Vimal Shah.
The election of Mr Bedi to the helm of KAM came after the organisationsfull board meting held on July 15.
Mr. Bedi has been on the KAM Board for the last 16 years where has served in the Trade Committee in which he currently chairs the International Trade and New Markets sub-committee with a focus on issues related to African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Kenya\’s exports to foreign market.
Mr Bedi brings with him a lot of experience as he also serves as the chair of the Kenya Apparel Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the African Cotton and Textile Industry Federation, which brings together cotton-to-fabric value chain stakeholders in East and Southern Africa region.
Speaking after his election Mr Bedi thanked the Board for the honour of leading the Association and invited mentorship support from the outgoing chairman.
He acknowledged the great leadership of Mr Shah over the last two years, during which time the organization celebrated 50 years of its existences and re-branded itself.
"Vimal has taken the bar high and we must keep it and stay focused," Mr Bedi said.
During the board meeting, Haco Industries Managing Director Polycarp Igathe was elected as Board Vice Chairman taking over from David Mureithi of Unilever who has been assigned responsibilities in West Africa.
As Haco Managing Director, Mr Igathe has directed growth of enterprise value and profit expansion since January 2007 successfully leading the negotiation and establishment of mutually beneficial long-term license manufacturing contracts for HACO from leading global multinationals such as Societe BIC (France), Jeyes (UK), E.T. Browne (USA) & Alberto Culver (USA).
