Indian construction firm to set up shop in Kenya

Indian construction chemical firm Pidilite Industries on Tuesday said it will set up a shop in Kenya to take advantage of the East African country's booming construction industry. Pidilite President of Sales for Africa Shankha Banerjee told journalists in Nairobi on Tuesday that the entry into the Kenyan market will enhance its presence in the East African region. "We want to serve the growing demand of water proof technology in Kenya as well as the rest of east Africa," Banerjee said. Pidilite industries is one of the largest construction chemical firm in Asia. The company's other African branches are in South Africa, Egypt and Ghana. He said its products will play a role in improving the standards of the country's construction industry. Kenya's has witnessed collapsed buildings due to poor building practices. He said the firm will target the small and medium construction projects. "The large projects are able to afford the expensive water proofing solutions," he said. The construction products manufacturer has appointed Crown Classics Industries Limited as the sole distributors and marketers of its products in Kenya. Crown Classics Director Hasit Patel said there has been growing demand for waterproofing solutions in Kenya.