Kwale County setting pace in attracting investors, RC Elungata states

Coast Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Elungata.

Steady investment ventures by private sector players in the County of Kwale will soon lead to major economic and social improvement in the area.

Huge investments by both local and international companies in the county endowed with rich mineral resources have been attributed to economic potential, conducive business environment and improved infrastructure.

Coast Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Elungata lauded the massive private investments in the county saying this would help create more job opportunities and improve standards of living of the local residents.

The administrator said local and foreign investors are welcome across the coast region to venture into small and mega projects.

Elungata said the expansion of the manufacturing sector is also crucial to the county’s GPD and general economic growth.’’

He said the area stand to benefit immensely from the industrial growth and urged local leaders and residents to offer support to private investors.

Elungata made the remarks when he led members of the Regional Development Coordination Committee on a tour of projects in Lungalunga Constituency in Kwale County.

Among the projects visited by the committee were private manufacturers, Kwale International Sugar Company (KISCOL), China's Huawei Food EPZ Kenya Limited and Kutoka Ardhini Limited.

The fortunes of fish industry in the county set to improve after the completion of the fish production plant being undertaken by Huawei Company  and the factory is expected to employ about 700 workers when fully operational.

During the visit at the KISCOL Mill, Mr Elungata gave the company approval to cultivate on a disputed piece of land saying the government has identified an alternative land for the area squatters.

‘’We must appreciate and support such investments which will go along away to benefit our people and the country in general’’ noted the RC.

 He said investments would benefit Kenya more in terms of job creation, income generation and poverty eradication.

Manufacturing is a key sector in Kenya's economic development, in both its contribution to national output and exports, and for job creation.

The sector which is part of the government's Big Four Agenda is vital in wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

 The county also represents 65 percent of the minerals produced in Kenya with the government keen to see the residents and the country benefits from this sector. 

The Kwale Mine provides significant revenues in tax and royalty payments.

Base Titanium which operates Kenya’s largest mine is currently producing 455,000 tons of limonite; 85,000 tons, or 14% of the world’s rutile output; and 32,000 tons of zircon each year.

The company extracts and exports minerals worth Sh16 billion annually.

The county is also a popular tourist destination where both local and international visitors flock the south coast area to savour the beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambience.

Last year, two South Coast Hotels received the recognition during the prestigious World Travel Awards gala held in the South Africa’s city of Durban on October 6, 2018.

The awards are to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The five star Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa won the Africa’s Leading Beach Resort 2018 while Leopards Beach Hotels was recognized for the exemplary products and services.

The Diani beach where the two facilities are situated was voted the Africa’s Leading Beach Destination.