The county government of Bungoma has set aside 100 acres of land for the establishment of an industrial park, area Deputy Governor Charles Ngome says.
Ngome said this will help expand various existing businesses, create new ones, offer at least 10,000 job opportunities to the youth overall to uplift the living standards of residents.
“We have 100 acres of land set aside in Webuye town for the business community to establish an industrial park,” Ngome announced during a meeting on Wednesday with their representatives held at a Bungoma hotel.
He said that the County government is also collaborating with Nzioa Sugar Company to establish a 2000-acre special economic zone.
Special Economic Zones refer to designated geographical areas where business-enabling policies are implemented.
Under the SEZ regime, participating investors stand to benefit from a trade-enabling environment
He explained that licensed special economic zones enterprises will benefit from various tax discounts through exemption from excise duty, customs duty, value added tax and stamp duty as well as removal of trade barriers.
SEZs also facilitate expansion and diversification of produce of goods and services for domestic and export markets promote value addition, promote local entrepreneurship through small and micro enterprises and enhancing technology development and innovation;.
Ngome said Webuye town was picked for the industrial park because of its strategic positioning along the northern corridor highway that connects Kenya to Uganda and other neighbouring states.
He said the Park will when ready, be instrumental in promoting agro-processing, value addition and restoration of Webuye’s status as an industrial town.
Ngome said the county government is strategising to get involved more in issues affecting Nzioa Sugar Company once the national government appoints a strategic partner to stabilise the company.
“We have talked to the CS of Agriculture who has assured us that once the process of appointing commissioners is over at the beginning of next year , the President will then appoint a strategic partner to revamp Nzoia Sugar Company, ’’ said Ngome.
By Roseland Lumwamu
