The Machakos Governor, Dr. Alfred Mutua has promised to ease the way of doing business in a bid to woo both local and foreign investors into the county.
Speaking when he hosted Scania East Africa Directors at his office led by the Regional MD for East Africa Peter Holmstrom on Saturday, Dr. Mutua said he was delighted by the company’s decision to set up a sh.1 billion sales and distribution centre in the area.
He lauded the company’s move, saying it will not only boost the economy of the area but also help create employment to dozens of locals.
“I am delighted to announce that Scania East Africa Company will be setting up a Sh.1 billion sales and distribution center for their buses and trucks in Machakos. In our discussion, we agreed on the employment of locals as well as the maintenance of high quality standards in all their work processes, “he said.
The Swedish Automobile Company is expected to break ground for the commencement of their operations in September 2019.
And to ensure investors get value for their investments, Dr Mutua has promised to undo any bottlenecks and bureaucracies that have in the past scared away multi-million companies from pitching tents in the area.
“My government is keen on reducing bureaucracy to ensure any current and potential investor is comfortable doing business in Machakos. As we continue to grow into a premier business hub, I invite other investors to consider the County as home to their industries. I assure all investors of our commitment, as a government, to continue providing an enabling environment for their businesses,” he promised.
Last month, the county also witnessed the entry of another major business player into the area after Mars Wringly Company opened a Sh.7 billion confectionary factory in Athi River, in Mavoko Sub County.
During the colorful launch,the governor who had been invited to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony singled out Machakos as one of the most ideal places to do business in the country as proven by its Sh. 150 billion worth of investments.
He therefore urged both local and international investors to take advantage of the existing business opportunities in the county by setting up factories and production plants in the area, citing Brava foods, Safaricom, Suda industrial Park, Signature Mall and Gateway as some of the multimillion business ventures currently operating in the area.
“Since 2013, we have attracted over 35 new investments in the County, including the Gateway mall, Suda industrial park, Brava foods, Imperial health logics, Safaricom, Signature mall among many others. With an investment portfolio of 150 billion shillings, I can confidently say that we are on the right track,’’ he added.
He lauded Wriggly for opening the multi-billion investment production plant in the county, in a move that will see the county play host to the production of super brands like Big G, and PK sweets and open up dozens of both direct and indirect employment opportunities to area residents.
By Samuel Maina
