By STANDARD REPORTER
Mea Fertiliser Ltd, the largest private fertiliser firm in the country, has entered into talks with two Chinese companies for the construction of a fertiliser plant in Kenya and a partnership to purchase and import the farm input.
Mea managers met their counterparts from China National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC) and SINOCHEM, the leading fertiliser trading company in China, and explored possibilities of a partnership in establishing a nitrogenous fertiliser factory in Kenya and a separate deal on the importation of fertilisers.
Mea Executive Director Titus Gitau said the deal would transform the fertiliser industry in Kenya, adding that the talks were “the beginning of a win-win chapter for the parties involved”.
This comes as Mea gears up to break ground later this year for an NPK granulation plant expected to be operational by mid next year.
Gitau said Mea would soon sign an MoU to build the nitrate plant with CNCEC after the completion of the NPK granulation plant in 2014. “They are very keen to work with us,” he said.
The Mea team was in China as part of the team of local investors who accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta on his state visit.
Gitau did not reveal the financial details of the discussions, but said the deal would include improved technology, technical know-how exchange and plant design.
