NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 19 – Countries from all over the world have converged at the second annual Nation Branding and Investment Expo in Netherlands, as the Brand Kenya Board coordinates initiatives for marketing the country in order to maximize its efficiency and maintain a good image.
The expo allows Brand Kenya to position the country optimally in terms of investment, credit worthiness, tourism and international relations.
In Africa, Kenya is second to South Africa to fully embrace nation branding, and the nations that have employed country branding have managed to pull resources and have a bargaining chip in attracting investors and tourists, while countries like the US, Brazil, and Malaysia that ventured into country branding early are reaping huge benefits.
These countries are in a better place to position not only the country and the citizen but promote investment opportunities, enhance business relationships and promote tourism.
In fact, the International Monetary Fund has already predicted that Kenya will be one of the world’s fastest growing economies over the next five years.
The country has attracted global attention and more investors are allocating money to Kenya since it joined the MSCI Frontier Markets Indices.
As the largest buyer of Kenyan flowers, mainly for re-export to other countries and with a Kenya Diaspora population estimated to be over 10,000, Netherlands remains an important market to Kenya.
Kenya therefore uses this investment expo to highlight the investment potential in the country and increase trade opportunities for the business within the European market.
Kenya will use the investment expo to highlight the investment potential in the country and increase trade opportunities for the business within the European market.
Last year more than 2,000 participants from various countries exhibited, out of which Kenya received many investment delegations to the Kenya House program held in 2012 during the London Olympics.
The CEO of the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) David Kimosop was part of the team participating at the event to market the investment opportunities available in Kerio Valley.
He said that Kerio valley region was going to work round the clock to get the Counties in Kerio Valley to actively engage in value addition partnership, especially with the honey, in order to generate wealth for the region while contribution to National development.
“I am happy with the Embassy and Brand Kenya Board for taking lead in this initiative which aims to position Kenya firmly as a strategic international player. I look forward to taking part in such investment activities,” he stated.
“There are very many unexploited opportunities in the country. County governments will need to think out of the box and explore means through which the massive potential in their regions can be harnessed to better their communities,” he added.
KVDA, which is situated in the North Western region of Kenya encourages development activities in the Counties’ of Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, parts of Samburu and Nakuru (Rongai and Molo), and this is a largely arid and semi arid region with its key projects including beekeeping and horticulture.
Kimosop further explained that the region for instance boasts of good climate for sports practice and renowned athletes, hence a good opportunity for sports marketing, tourism and development of sporting facility.
Following a successful event last year, plans are underway to hold the first ever Nation Branding Expo in Kenya, which presents the much needed opportunity for Kenya to prove its position as the investment hub of choice in Africa.
As one of the leaders in Africa in Nation Branding, it is a great honor to have an event of this magnitude held in Nairobi as we celebrate 50 years of independence.
Netherlands is Kenya’s fourth trading partner in exports, making her a valuable partner and potential investor.
Kenya has always had a good business relationship with Netherlands and Brand Kenya expects to woo investors to enable Kenya manufacture her raw materials and export finished products.
