Expectations high as global investment forum starts

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti

The government expects to sign key deals during an international investment forum that starts today.

A cement factory and a boat-building project are at the centre of the government's first international investment conference.

Trade Executive Tom Ogada yesterday said they also expect to sign memoranda of understanding with firms seeking to start an aviation school, marine training school, maize-milling company and an animal plant.

"We plan to sign many deals besides those I have mentioned. This county will never be the same after Friday," said  Prof Ogada.

More than 1,000 local and international investors are expected at the two-day event co-sponsored by USAid and other development partners.

CORD leader Raila Odinga is to open the meeting being held at the Homa Bay Tourist Hotel and at least 10 governors from the Western Kenya economic block are to give speeches.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti said top officials from the Kenya Investments Authority, African Development Bank, Strathmore University, Deloitte  and Touche, Kenya Association of Manufacturers  and PricewaterhouseCoopers would attend the meeting.

"This will help residents live long after I have left the office," said Awiti.