The Vice President, Russian chamber of commerce and industry, Mr GeorgyPetrovYour Excellency’s Ambassadors from AfricaDistinguished guestsLadies and gentlemen
I take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Vice President, and members of thechamber of commerce and industry, for enabling my delegation to interactand exchange ideas with your group.I am happy to note that the Russian business community has recognizedKenya’s potential as one of the most promising investment destinations inAfrica, and wishes to deepen the existing trade and economic relations withus.This forum comes at a time when Kenya has undertaken far reachingreforms that have created a conducive environment for doing business. Ourcountry is on a path of high economic growth and has emerged as theregional economic, trading and investment frontier. I welcome Russianinvestors to take advantage of our strategic location as the gateway to theEast African Community and the common market for Eastern and SouthernAfrica – which has a combined market potential of more than 400 millionpeople.
Mr. Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
The agricultural sector is the mainstay of Kenya’s economy and theachievement of national food security is a key goal of my government. Thisis in line with Kenya’s vision 2030, a long-term development blue-printwhose focus is to create a globally competitive and prosperous country andhigh quality of life by 2030. Your partnership and support in achieving ournational aspirations is welcome.A priority for us remains attaining food security and ensuring adequate foodreserves. To that end, my government has undertaken to irrigate largetracks of land that are ideal for food production and make fertilizersaccessible and affordable.
Mr. Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I am aware that Russia is one of the largest producers and suppliers of fertilizers. I would like to encourage Russian manufacturers and exporters tosupply the required high quality fertilizers to Kenya in the short-term. Inaddition, it would be mutually advantageous to partner with us in establishing a fertilizer plant in Kenya. Our current needs are around 500thousand metric tonnes per year. The requirements are higher if the targetis the greater East African market.
Mr. Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
There are other opportunities in Kenya, particularly in the energy sector asyou may be aware, we have struck oil that is commercially viable and intechnology, infrastructure and tourism. I would be happy if you expressedan interest in investing in these sectors. Allow me to also highlight twoinfrastructure projects that could be of great interest to you. The Lamu portfor South Sudan and Ethiopian transport corridor (lapsset) that links theKenyan coast line with south Sudan and Ethiopia; and the African land bridgeproject that seeks to link the Atlantic and Indian oceans from the harbourports of Douala in Cameroon and Lamu in Kenya. These projects involve theconstruction of resort towns, pipelines, railway lines and major roads. Theyare a great opportunity for you.
Mr. Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Kenya prides itself as a producer of the best quality black tea in the world.Our tea has won international acclaim for its taste, aroma and high quality. Itis the beverage of choice in restaurants and cafes across the globe. Irecognise that Russia is one of the largest importers of Kenyan teas. May Iurge our business communities to explore ways of increasing the marketshare of our tea, high quality coffee, vegetables and flowers in Russia todeepen and strengthen our bilateral ties.
Mr. Vice President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
In conclusion, I am confident that the outcome of this forum will be thegenesis of enhanced trade and investment links that will improve theexisting economic relations of our two countries.I remain hopeful that businesses and investors from both sides will takeadvantage of our excellent historic relations, the conducive investmentclimate in Kenya and our common quest for a world free of encumbrancesand conditionalities to establish networks that will yield immediate resultsfor the benefit of our people.I thank you.God bless you.
