An Eastern Europe Country has embarked on a drive to invest in Kisumu County, the country’s top representative has said.
The Belarus Ambassador to Kenya, Dmitry Kuptel said the move aims to partner with Kenya in expediting the country’s economic growth.
The Ambassador noted that the revival of Kisumu Port and the face lift of the city in general brings out the potential investment opportunities capable of turning around Kisumu’s economy and that of the entire region if well utilized.
Kuptel who was with the Deputy Governor, Mathews Owili said his country was keen on exploiting the opportunities created by the ongoing revitalization of Kisumu port and transforming of the city to rekindle and establish sustainable development partnership between the two nations.
The envoy identified the areas of the manufacturing of heavy machinery and value addition in the agricultural sector as some of the enterprises his country was keenly considering investing in.
The Ambassador who was accompanied by officials from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce said the tractors’ assembly plant to be set up in Kisumu would also serve the East African market and beyond.
“This plant, besides plugging the demand gap for machinery, will also produce associated hardware for fishing gear, boat spare parts and act as a crucial conduit for technology exchange between the partner countries,” Kuptel said.
Owili pledged the County Government’s support for Belarus’ initiative and termed as being in tandem with the ongoing economic restructuring in the county and noted that it would further reinforce Kisumu’s position as an economic hub and gateway in the region and beyond.
He noted that the new development would further enhance Kisumu’s unique position amongst the only five that hosts a special economic zone in the country.
By Milton Onyango
