Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has honoured top performing business in international trade that uses the Port of Mombasa as the point of entry and exit for their merchandise. 

The business community was awarded certificates in recognition of their support to the authority during a stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday at Kigali Serena.

Top performers in importing businesses are Pemba Flour Millers sarl, Hashi Rwanda and Kobil Rwanda both dealing in supply of energy fuel.

In the category of exporters, RWACOF, Rwanda’s top exporters of coffee, SDV Transami an international logistics company and Metal Processing Association dealing in export minerals emerged as top performers respectively. 

In his remarks, Shukri Baramadi, the Chairman KPA mentioned that KPA "highly values” Rwandan customers and stakeholders and mentioned that the continued cargo growth at the Port of Mombasa concludes that the economies of Rwanda and the entire region are performing well.

"Given that Rwanda is a fast growing economy, the need for an efficient port and the whole logistic chain is paramount.  In the spirit of the East African Community , there is even a more growing need to always keep  close to compare notes on how  we can improve our common business facility,” he said.

"Such efforts have always yielded beneficial fruits and are very central in growing trade not only for Rwanda but the entire region.”

Speaking at the meeting, James Mulewa, the Managing Director, KPA expressed appreciation to the business community for their support and pledged that his institution will continue to improve its operations to facilitate their businesses.

He noted that KPA has reduced delays in clearing of goods at the Port and increased working hours to 24 hours to, 7 days a week.

"Container vessels turn around time recorded a significant improvement of 3 days in the third quarter of 2009 from 5 days recorded same period in 2008. This is attributed to enhanced efficiency in port operations due to adequate year space and improved turn around time of terminal tractors,” Mulewa said.

Due to a shift to 24 hrs, 7 days working schedule early this year and increase of container freight stations, the average container clearance time is now 6.4 days against 13.1 days in 2008.

Representing the business community, Prisca Mujawayezu, the deputy Chief Executive Officer lauded efforts to reduce the cost of doing business by KPA by improving Port operations as it will facilitate the business community. 

Transit traffic at the Port which serves the region’s land locked countries, last year grew by 10.2 percent to 4.87 million tons, from 4.4 million tons in 2007.

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