The Kenya Association of Manufacturers -KAM Board has elected Mr. Jaswinder Bedi from Nakuru-based Bedi Investments as the new KAM Chairman.

Mr. Bedi joined the KAM Board 16 years ago 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.

He is also chairman of the Kenya Apparel Manufacturers and Exporters Association (KAMEA) and the African Cotton and Textile Industry Federation (ACTIF) which brings together cotton-to-fabric value chain stakeholders in East and Southern Africa region.

Haco Industries managing Director Mr. Polycarp Igathe was elected as Vice Chairman.

The election of Jas Bedi was chaired by outgoing chairman Mr. Vimal Shah at a regular full Board meeting.

Speaking soon after 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," noted Mr. Bedi.

At the same time, Haco Industries Managing Director Mr. Polycarp Igathe was elected as Board Vice Chairman.

He takes over from Mr. David Mureithi of Unilever who has been assigned responsibilities in West Africa.

Mr. Igathe who joined the Board in 2008 has been chairman of the Standards and Regulatory Affairs Committee which handles issues of anti-counterfeit legislation and intellectual property rights.

As Haco Managing Director, Polycarp has directed growth of enterprise value and profit expansion since January 2007.

He successfully led 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), among other initiatives.

He was also instrumental in establishing a Joint Venture partnership between Haco and Tiger Brands, the branded Consumer Goods Giant of South Africa.

As a result of these efforts, HACO is today a leading branded consumer goods manufacturer in East Africa, with brand presence in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Zambia and Malawi.

The Chief Executive Ms. Betty Maina has congratulated both Mr. Jas Bedi and Mr. Polycarp Igathe upon their election.

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