Portuguese business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs have been encouraged by President Uhuru Kenyatta to make Nairobi the hub of their economic activities and investments in Africa.
He claimed that Nairobi is the ideal location for Portuguese investment due to Kenya’s enormous commercial potential in practically all areas of the country’s developing economy and the cosmopolitan makeup of her population.
“People from all over the world are welcome here as long as they do so peacefully since we are a melting pot.
We welcome people as long as they arrive with the intention of trading, working, or cooperating.
“Nairobi has been rated as the greatest place for expats to reside in and locate housing, I was reminded yesterday.
You can use Kenya as the headquarters for your operations in Africa, and we would be more than happy to assist you.
On the final day of his two-day state visit to the Portuguese Republic, the President addressed in Lisbon alongside his Portuguese host, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the inauguration of the Kenya-Portugal Business Forum.
The Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) and its Portuguese counterpart, AICEP Portugal Global, organized the business summit to discuss commercial partnerships and investment potential with Kenyan and Portuguese captains of industry, business owners, and leaders.
The President expressed sadness that, despite the two nations’ extensive history of bilateral relations and the presence of Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and his Tourism counterpart Najib Balala at the conference, the volume of commerce flow between Nairobi and Lisbon continued to be low.
“I do think there is still a lot of room for closer bilateral cooperation between our two nations.
We want to go further with that because it is regrettable that two nations with such strong commercial and private sector bases only deal with so little.
When compared to the opportunity that exists, the commerce and investment between our two countries are extremely small, he claimed.
President Kenyatta stated that his administration had created a favorable business environment and promised continuing government support to Portuguese investors looking for investment possibilities in Kenya.
President Kenyatta urged Portuguese investors to think about taking advantage of the country’s booming ICT, health, and infrastructure sectors while discussing the available investment prospects in Kenya.
You have a broad range of experience, particularly in the infrastructure, healthcare, and ICT industries.
And I really think that we can accomplish much more together. We possess excellent ICT credentials.
“The generation and demographic that we have are quite young and technologically aware. We must make sure that these start-ups develop into unicorns capable of competing in a global market, he said.
President Kenyatta emphasized the value of the close relationships between Kenya and Portugal, stating they are based on “long-standing political, cultural, and economic ties.”
I think there are many of opportunities. a possibility for us to collaborate closely. a chance for the two of us to accomplish big things. a possibility for our joint prosperity.
“The opportunities we present will only materialize. if we take an active role, will only be transformed into prosperity and jobs,” President Kenyatta remarked.
President de Sousa promised Kenya a “lifetime cooperation” with the Portuguese Republic’s government and people.
“This is a special chance for us to do more and more excellent things. For you to invest more in Portugal as well as for you to continue to assist us in doing more and greater things.
“There must be more Kenyan tourists visiting us. The Portuguese leader stated, “We must have your investment here and share this investment with Portuguese partners.
KEPSA CEO Carole Kariuki headed the Kenyan business delegation to the event, which also included Principal Secretaries Johnson Weru (Trade), Nancy Karigithu (Shipping), and Chris Kiptoo (Environment).