Jaswinder Bedi

Biography

Jas is a textile graduate (1984) and has attended numerous executive business courses in Harvard Business School, IMD and IIM. His business acumen has been recognized by Government of Kenya whereby HE President Mwai Kibaki decorated Jas with a medal, Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) in 2012. Further in 2016 Jas was nominated a finalist in the Africa CEO forum awards and subsequently awarded Sikh CEO of the year. Thereafter in 2017, HE President Uhuru Kenyatta decorated Jas with a medal, Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS). Additionally in 2023, Jas was awarded a ‘Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa’ by Desh Bhagat University, India in the field of expansion of export market.

Jas is currently the

• Chairman of Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA).
• Chairman of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).
• Vice Chairman of East African Business Council (EABC).
• Managing Director of Bedi Investments Limited (BIL).
• Executive Director of Fine Spinners Uganda Limited (FSUL).
• Member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO).
• Member of the UNDP African Influencers for Development Super Group
• Member of the Global Advisory Council P4G (Pioneering Green Partnerships)

Jas has previously served as

• Vice Chairman of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) 2021-2023
• Chairman African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) 2005-2019
• Chairman Export Promotion Council (EPC) 2016-2019
• President of International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) 2016-2018
• Chairman Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) 2010 -2012
• Director Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) 1996 – 2010
• Chairman Kenya Apparel Manufacturers Exporters Association 2003 -2010
• Director Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) 2018 – 2021
• Governor Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) 2010 – 2015
• Vice Chairman East African Business Council (EABC) 2012 – 2014
• Managing Director Orbit Chemicals Industries Limited 2003 – 2005
• Director Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) 2006 – 2012
• Director Export Promotion Council (EPC) 2003 – 2006
• Board member of Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) 1996 – 1998

To conclude, Jas has been tirelessly involved in developing export market opportunities, particularly in trading bocks such as EAC, COMESA, SADC, AfCFTA, USA and the European Union.

Besides lobbying in the aforementioned trading blocs, Jas continues to open new markets for Kenyan exports such as China to help diversify Kenya’s export basket with a clear vision of Brand Kenya, Export Kenyan & Build Kenya.