The expected construction of Naivasha Industrial Park has stirred foreign investors’ interest in the project that will open up Nakuru as a commercial hub in the East Africa Region.
A number of local firms and foreign investors from countries like India, United states of America ( USA), Netherlands, China, Sri Lanka and Thailand have shown interest to establish key investments within the economic zone.
Speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing on the status of the Naivasha Industrial Park, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Peter Munya said that the Government, on July this year, designated 9, 000 acres of land in Naivasha, Mombasa and Machakos as Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as it stepped up efforts to boost manufacturing.
According to Munya, many local and foreign investors have expressed interest in setting up shops at the planned Naivasha Industrial Park.
“Various investors have shown interest in putting up industries in the country, mainly within the special economic zone. Many seek to benefit from the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), the Naivasha Industrial Park and dry port. We welcome more local and international investors to set base in Nakuru as this will create thousands of employment opportunities as well as boost industrial development in the county,” said Munya.
The CS said that companies that would be situated within the zone were expected to enjoy direct connection to cheaper geothermal power from the Olkaria plant and special tax incentives-in line with provisions of the Fiscal Incentives Act, 2015.
“The county’s location, good infrastructure, energy from Menengai and Olkaria geothermal plants, the upcoming airport in Lanet and SGR now connecting Naivasha and the Mombasa Port are an added advantage to investors,” said Munya.
By Yvonne Akinyi/ Shamsa Were/ Joseph Ng’ang’a
