Kenya is set to benefit from the tenth World Trade Organisation ministerial conference with an estimated $8 million (about Sh1.6 billion), expected to be spent in the country.

The conference which coming to Africa for the first time is set for Nairobi between December 15 and 18.

According to the ministry of foreign affairs, the conference is expected to attract more than 5,000 trade stakeholders from 161 member states.

Among top beneficiaries will be hotels, restaurants and transporters which include taxis.

The head of economic affairs and international trade in the ministry of foreign affairs, Nelson Ndirangu yesterday said the conference would deliberate on pending issues carried over from the 2013 forum in Bali, Indonesia among other agreements, which have not been properly implemented.

These include decisions aimed at streamlining trade, allowing developing countries more options for providing food security, boosting least-developed countries’ trade and helping development more generally.

Ndirangu however said Kenya will push for policies focusing on agriculture, industrial products and development.

Ndirangu was addressing journalists in Mombasa during the first technical preparation meeting by the national trade negotiating committee.

He said Kenya hosting the WTO conference is proof that the country is safe.

“Hosting this event will prove that Kenya is safe and peaceful than other countries which think they are peaceful than us. It will also prove that Africa can hold a meeting of such magnitude as we remain part of the global trading nations,” said Ndirangu.

Kenya won the bid to host the conference after the Turkish government stepped down in its favour.