Uhuru pitches manufacturing sector to Belgium investors

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pitched to Belgians to invest in Kenya’s manufacturing, mining and ICT sectors to grow bilateral trade volumes

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks at the Kenya-Belgium Business Forum in Brussels, Belgium, on June 15, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• Official data shows that Kenya sold Sh4.5 billion worth of goods to Belgium last year compared to Sh14.9 billion that Nairobi bought from Brussels.

By NEVILLE OTUKI

President Uhuru Kenyatta has pitched to Belgians to invest in Kenya’s manufacturing, mining and ICT sectors to grow bilateral trade volumes.

The President is on a State visit to the capital Brussels where he marketed Kenya’s investment opportunities to more than 60 Belgian business executives.

He also held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and King Philippe.

“The President encouraged Belgian investors to explore the wide range of investment opportunities in manufacturing, value addition in agriculture and industry as well as emerging sectors in Information and Communications Technology and mining,” Mr Kenyatta’s press team said in a statement.

Bilateral trade between the two nations is heavily skewed in favour of the European nation.

Official data shows that Kenya sold Sh4.5 billion worth of goods to Belgium last year compared to Sh14.9 billion that Nairobi bought from Brussels.

Belgium is the eighth largest market for Kenya’s goods in Europe.

“We appreciate the investments that your businesses have entrusted in the country and the confidence that you have shown in our economy,” President Kenyatta said.

He cited Kenya’s efficient human resource pool and a large presence of multinationals in the capital Nairobi.