The inaugural East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference and Exhibition kicks off next week in Nairobi, Kenya. Organised by the East African Business Council (EABC), the event will attract private sector players, as well as public sector participants, according to a statement by the council.

The organisers said the objective of the East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference and Exhibition is to provide an opportunity for business to business (B2B) and government to business (B2G) engagements, and also to strengthen entrepreneurship in the EAC by developing an annual one-stop centre for investment and trade opportunities, while providing a chance to share experiences.

The inaugural 2016 edition is being organised with support of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and is scheduled for October 10-13.

"The three-day event will bring together high-level government and private sector decision-makers from the EAC partner states, as well as entrepreneurs and investors from Africa and elsewhere,” the statement indicated.

It added that the conference will have parallel sessions on manufacturing and infrastructure, textiles, leather and energy, as well as innovative Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). New opportunities arising from the regional harmonisation processes will also be highlighted.