March 27th 2007
Some of the Kenyan products on display during the Trade, Tourism and Investment Business meeting in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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The Kenya High Commission in South Africa held a one day Trade, Tourism and Investment Business Meeting on the 27th March 2007 at Midrand in Johannesburg .This successful event, coordinated by the the Commercial Attache' Mrs. Lornah Okumu, attracted over one hundred current and potential investors from South Africa with the main aim being showcasing Trade, Tourism and Investment potential in Kenya.
The Defence Attache' Mr. J. M. Waweru, First Secretary Mr. L. A. Sikudi and Managing Director, Turning POint Networks Ms. Salome Malema usher in Kenya High Commissioner, H. E. Mrs. T.J. Seii during the Kenya Business Meeting in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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The Kenya High Commissioner in South Africa H.E Mrs. Tabitha J. Seii gave the key note address highlighting the achievements of the government in agriculture, manufacturing, business services, information, communications and technology as well as building and construction. The High commissioner also highlighted Kenya ’s vision 2030 that intends to transform the country into a middle level earning economy. She said that Kenya has undergone numerous reform processes in the recent years to make it a free market economy. Further she noted that foreign exchange and price controls have been abolished, leading to free flow of goods and services. This has created an enabling environment for trade, tourism and investment.
Mr. Reinhard Eifler of Steers makes a presentation to fellow investors while assuring them that the conditions in Kenya were conducive and mentions that Steers will open up another branch in Buru Buru, Nairobi.
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Among the firms that have invested in both Kenya and South Africa were 'The Steadman Group' and 'Steers International'. Nanzala Mwaura of The Steaman Group presented the Business Leaders’ Survey Index while Reinhard Eifler of Steers indicated that they have intentions of expanding in the Kenyan market with a new branch in Buru Buru ( Nairobi) and eventually in Mombasa.
Mr Jonathan Mbiyu, the Regional Marketing Manager of Kenya Tourism Board extensively covered the achievements of the Tourism Sector and the efforts that the government has put in place for tourism sustainability which includes opening up of both the Western and North Rift circuits.
Mr. Jonathan Mbiu, of Kenya Tourism Board explaining to investors key aspects during the Trade, Tourism and Investment oppoertunities in Kenya.
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He pointed out that Kenya ’s Maasai Mara and her Wildebeest migration has been declared as one of the new seven wonders of the world. Kenya as the original Safari destination was also home to two thirds of the world’s Flamingoes and Mt. Kenya the second highest mountain in Africa .
Investment opportunities in the tourism sectors were also identified across the country and especially in the Western and North Rift circuits, where there currently exists a huge potential to increase the bed capacity and diversify the tourist experience.
The Manager of Resources, Policy and Planning from the Kenya Investment Authority (KIA) Mr. Rogers Amisi expounded the efforts that Kenya has made to attract and retain investments in line with vision 2030. He assured investostors that Kenya through KIA has a 'One-Stop Procesess' where all relevant documentation, immigration requirements, procedures and matters related to investment are handled by a single agent. He further said that Kenya is one of the very few countries in the world that one can actually achieve 100% returns on investments, taking into consideration the available opportunities, liberation measures undertaken so far, competitive tax regime and the government’s efforts in encouraging private/public partnerships.
The Commercial Attache' Mrs. Lornah Okumu, chats with investors at the meeting in Midrand, Johannesburg.
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The simplification of licensing procedures in Kenya , the reforms in the police force, corruption eradication measures, improvement and upgrading of both the road and railway network were extensively discussed.
This forum was the second of a series of investment and tourism meetings that are aimed at among other things, overcoming the trade imbalance between South Africa and Kenya which at the moment is highly in favour of South Africa . The third meeting will be held in the first week of June 2007 which will culminate into a major Kenya / South Africa Trade, Tourism and Investment Conference in October this year.
Ms Tina Reddy makes a presentation to the investors regarding trade relations between Kenya and South Africa.
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Ms Tina Reddy of the Department of Trade and Industry acknowledged that Kenya was indeed the biggest African trading partner out of SADC. She acknowledged of the trade inbalance between the two states but assured interested parties that the South African Government was working closely with the Kenyan counterparts to even things out.
On addressing specific questions raised by the participants,
investors were assured that the Kenya Government does not prevent them from repartriating profits as long as all taxes, levies and/or duties were paid up and the law was followed. They were also assured of sufficient power supply and improved infrastructure to sustain their investments. Regarding human resource and expertise, investors were informed that Kenya has a well trained and competitive workforce to meet their expectations.
Mrs. Nanzala Mwaura of The Steadman Group explains the implications of the Business Leaders Survey Index to investors. Kenya got a good rating.
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Some of the participants during the Trade, Tourism and Investment Business meeting in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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