UK seeks investment opportunities in Kenya
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By james anyanzwa Foreign investors from the United Kingdom (UK) are seeking to build partnerships and increase investment in Kenya. A delegation led by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), one of Britain’s leading support organisations, is in the country to explore new investment opportunities. The group include companies wanting to invest in key development sectors like water, roads and renewable energy and offering goods and services tailored to the Kenyan business and consumers. The trade mission is also expected to travel to Uganda and Tanzania to look for other regional investment opportunities. Mr Jonathan Webber, head of the delegation and director of the International Trade at BCCI, is also expected to push for the strengthening of local chambers of commerce in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi and Mauritius. Amongst the companies representatives include solar experts (Daima Energy Solutions) and Octagon Europe Ltd. clean energy Daima’s plans to manufacturer solar energy products locally is expected to have real impact in Kenya by providing affordable clean energy, creating job opportunities particularly targeted at the youth and raising environmental awareness amongst consumers. Octagon Europe, which offers sustainable and affordable housing solutions, hopes to work with agencies, Government and local business to ensure that slum dwellers, refugees and internally displaced people have access to decent and durable housing. The British High Commission’s UK Trade and Investment team (UKTI), which facilitated the visit, have created targeted programme for each of the delegates in the mission, focusing on meetings with local businesses. The move is part of UKTI’s efforts to encourage investments in Kenya and build on the strong commercial links that exists between the two countries. The British High Commission said the current BCCI mission underlined the interest from UK companies in doing business in Kenya, and the East African region.