| dc.description.abstract | One of Kenya’s key strategies in its economic development efforts is the achievement of an export led growth. It is felt that an export led growth would bring more investors and earn the country the much needed foreign exchange which would in turn enable it procure vital goods and services that are critical to its overall socio economic development drive. Despite the significant role played by the SME’s in the achievement of the above key strategy, the sector has continued to experience many binding constraints that have inhibited its full potential. It is by the assistance of EPC that the above strategy by the SME’s is achieved since EPC addresses bottlenecks that are being faced by exporters and producers of export goods and services with a view to increasing the performance of the export sector.
The study used a descriptive research design to achieve the set objective. The population of this study consisted of SME’s in Nairobi County who are registered with EPC. The population was then divided into different strata basing on the different industries as follows; Bead work, Bee keeping, Weaving, Textiles, Horticulture, Detergents. Random sampling was used to select the sample from the strata. Data was collected through self administered questionnaires. Percentages were then used to analyse the data collected as well as tables and content analysis for qualitative data.
The study has laid a foundation that strategies used by the EPC in assisting export oriented SME’s include; Development of Exporting Skills, Trade Information & Delivery Services, Product Development, Trade Policy Facilitation, Export credit, insurance & trade finance, Export Market Development, Local Market Outreach. The study found these strategies to be very effective to the SME’s. The study however identified some areas of improvement like much emphasis be given on awareness creation of existence of the council, strategies for assistance in formation of Sacco’s be availed and also establishment of branches in other County’s by EPC should be achieved. | en |
