The preparation for the forthcoming Nyanza International Investments Conference is in the final stages with the planning committee meeting key partners.
The two-day investment summit is scheduled for June 28 and 29 in Kisumu. The conference seeks to foster development across the six counties in the region by attracting both local and international investors.
President William Ruto is expected to officially open the conference and give a keynote speech.
He will lead a team of local and international investors to exploit the unexploited investment opportunities in the region.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo on Saturday held a preparatory meeting in Kisumu with key partners under the auspices of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the planning.
He was accompanied by the chairman of the conference organising committee Jalph Olende, vice chairman Charles Nyachae, KNCCI Nyanza region director Ken Onditi and KNCCI CEO Patrick Nyangweso.
The meeting brought together about 2,000 business people from the region including partners such as East Africa Breweries, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Development Corporation and Kisumu Development Trust among others.
Owalo, who is the NIIC patron, said the conference would impact on the region’s economy as it will enable participants to exploit the available opportunities.
The CS assured that nobody will be left out in the preparation stages of the conference. “We want everyone on board in order to discuss the available investment opportunity together to turn around the economy of this region,” Owalo said.
Already, he has met with the Law Society President president over the summit. Owalo urged the business community to turnout in large numbers to showcase their products and seek investments partnerships.
“This conference is a step to exploit the untapped available investments opportunity in Nyanza into economic power house,” he said.
The conference will bring together local and international investors, national and county government officials and the private sector.
The conference is being organised under the theme, "Nyanza Rising: Towards Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development."
Owalo said the conference will help in exploring the available and potential development challenges and turn them into investable opportunities.
The summit, he said, was in line with the government’s directive to promote Public-Private Partnerships to spur investments and grow the country’s economy.
The conference will focus on infrastructure, technology, health and agriculture.
United Millers proprietor Sunil Shah, Rafik Dhanji of the Lake Region Traders Association, former KPC MD George Okungu were also present.
Kisumu Chapter KNCCI chairman Israel Agina and KNCCI branch officials from Nyamira, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya counties were also present.
