Kenya says right environment in place to attract investors

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday urged visiting American business community to invest in the East African nation, saying Nairobi has one of the best business environments for any entrepreneur willing to invest.

Kenyatta said that for the last three years, the government has undertaken legal and political reforms which are aimed at making the country one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.

"Before I leave office, I want to make Kenya one of the top fifty attractive investment destinations in the world," Kenyatta said when he held discussions with board members of U.S.-Africa Business Center (USAfBC), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in Nairobi.

Kenyatta said the media freedom, judiciary independence and many other reforms being undertaken in the country are aimed at creating a stable society which would enable any investor to have a desire to set shop in the country.

The president pointed out that Kenya has no favorites in doing business, but is willing to engage all willing partners to accelerate economic development.

He singled out the partnership between the government and some private companies, including major U.S. firms, in providing efficient medical services through the Managed Equipment Services (MES).

"The issue here is how we can collaborate with the private sector to provide basic services," Kenyatta said, noting that that there are many areas of investment in the infrastructure, ICT, health, education and agriculture.

He urged the USAfBC members to seek to partner with the Kenyan private sector.

Through the Co-chair of the USAfBC board Jay Ireland, the businessmen said they are willing to engage the Kenyan private sector and the government to understand more on the available opportunities so as to woe more of its members to invest in the country.

USAfBC is holding its first ever board meeting in Africa here in Nairobi. Endit