Lake Basin summit set to boost trade in 12 counties

Twelve counties have partnered form a collective trading bloc in a bid to explore existing opportunities and utilize the region’s resources.

Kisumu will host the lake basin expo and investment which will be held between the 12th and the 16th of February will have Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Siaya, Vihiga, Kericho, Homabay, Nyamira, Bomet, Kisii and Migori  counties  as one to unleash the entrepreneurship potential to tackle the county challenges.

The summit intends to harmonize trade and other investment policies to facilitate trade activities across the region with an ultimate goal of making it a business hub.

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice chairman Laban Onditi said the summit will help investors interact with over 2,000 delegates with more than a hundred companies exhibiting their wares.

“As chamber of commerce our role is to enhance trade and investments. We have come together with Aremant Group to make sure we use our strength to bring the counties within the lake region bloc for them to understand how we can share with the international community the best practices and how we can enhance trade and investments in those trading blocs,” said Mr Onditi.

The summit is the first of a series of such events that are planned for the rest of counties where the emphasis is placed on an economic block rather than on geographical boundaries.

Investors from the US, European Union, South Africa, India, Turkey and Australia among other countries will be present.

The 12 counties are looking to leverage on the agricultural, manufacturing and mining industries that exist in the region to foster growth.