Counties to access foreign markets

Kenya: County Governments will soon be able to access regional markets directly and receive foreign investors as the country begins to create mechanism to facilitate the drive.

Under the arrangement, counties will be able to export their various products to neighbouring countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Tanzania.

For instance, counties in Western Kenya can access the Ugandan market while those in Northern side can tap into the Sudan and Ethiopian markets once the mechanism is in place.

The County Governors are meeting in Naivasha, Nakuru County Tuesday to discuss ways of coordinating, seeking and channeling Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into their respective devolved units with the national Government.

The two-day meeting, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce and East Africa Affairs will deliberate on the opportunities of trade and tourism emanating from counties with respect to regional integration under EAC protocols and treaties.

The forum began Monday when Tourism Principal Secretary Ibrahim Mohamed met all County Executives in charge of Tourism and Commerce. Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie is scheduled to meet governors Tuesday morning.

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“The forum will also discuss the development and marketing of tourism at national and county levels. It will also focus on product diversification in order to promote niche products in each county,” Dr Mohamed said.