Your Excellency President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Chairman of the African Union Assembly,
Your Excellences, Heads of State and Government,
Your Excellency Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group,
Excellences Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
1.    Good morning, and welcome to Kenya. On behalf of the people and government of Kenya, I welcome you all to Nairobi for the IDA for Africa Heads of State Summit.
 

At the sidelines of the Event, In front of our investment facilitation platform ( One Start One Go Centre), the Principal Secretary, Abubakar Hassan, presented an approval letter to the South Korean Polyester Fabric and Apparel Company (Young One Corporation) to set up 40 M $ Facility in Athi River EPZ.

Kenya's Special Economic Zones program is gaining traction, with the recent opening of the Jumbo Africa Auto Auction in Naivasha being a prime example. This project is seen as a positive step towards the program's goals of attracting investment, creating jobs, boosting exports, and ultimately strengthening Kenya's economy. The government's support, highlighted by H.E President Ruto's presence at the opening, further reinforces the program's credibility.

The US is our key and strategic partner in our economic diplomacy and we are committed to strengthening it through broadening and deepening our investment and trade relationship.

The meeting discussed the upcoming Amcham Business Summit from 24th - 25th April 2024 in Nairobi, the proposed Kenya Green Investment Fund, and a State visit by HE President William Ruto to the US.

Machakos County; home to Kenya's largest Export Processing Zone in Athi River sits strategically in our economic equation. It's exciting to note the heavy investments and efforts towards the realization and completion of the Kenya Leather Park and the Konza Technopolis flagship projects. This Leather Park will revitalize the leather value chain as the Technopolis attracts investments in innovation development.

After a successful Kenya - Ghana Business Forum graced by H.E Kenya President and Ghana President, the PS visited African Consumer Product Limited, a 35 M $ Kenya - Ghana Joint Venture Investment in the Soap and Detergents Industry.
Joint Venture investment is between Kapa Oil Kenyan Company and Wilmar Ghana Company.
The potential for Edible Oil and Rice Plantations Investments in Kenya was discussed and how it can be explored and exploited.

In Accra, Ghana, alongside H.E. President William Ruto, and CS, Rebecca Miano, had the privilege of engaging with our vibrant diaspora community. Kenya boasts of the best human capital in the world! To all Kenyans residing in Ghana, your investments in Kenya contribute significantly to our collective growth. Let's continue to build bridges and opportunities together. Invest in Kenya!

After Care Program is a post-investment facilitation mechanism to retain and expand existing private investments. The PS Abubakar Hassan officiated a validation workshop between National Investment Council (NIC) Private Sector Members and the Business Reform Action Plan Development Committee whose members are CEOs of private sector associations

It was resolved that all private sector issues will be channeled through the Development Committee for screening and then forwarded to NIC for review and adoption before being presented to the Presidential Roundtable for consideration

In line with MITI's commitment to implement BETA through the Special Economic Zone program, I commend the significant progress made by the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA).

Their efforts have resulted in the creation of about 4,700 jobs and the attraction of over USD 227 million in investments. This notable achievement can be attributed to the establishment of seven new zones in 2023, bringing the total number to 36 zones and licensing 53 enterprises within them.

Arnaud Floris, Africa Coordinator, BPI France together with other Senior Officials from the same institution paid a courtesy call to the PS office. Together with officials from the State Department of Investment Promotion and KDC, they discussed areas of collaboration including debt & equity financing, co-financing, and BPI France’s support to trade, investments and industry in Kenya.