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Speaking at the Barclays Africa Forum in Canary Wharf London, CS Mohamed said the arguments that Kenya was looking East towards China and other Asian countries while abandoning her traditional allies was misleading/FILE

Kenya

Kenya looking at the world, not East or West

She said the positive trend in Africa is perhaps best reflected in Kenya. “As you discuss business opportunities in Africa and as you explore strategic ways of positioning the UK, I would urge you to pay closer attention to Kenya. This is more so because Kenya and the UK enjoy a unique and longstanding relationship. This relationship is based on mutual respect, partnership and shared interests and is underpinned by a shared history, language, legal system, culture and values,” she said.

She said UK remained the single largest source of foreign direct investment in Kenya from Europe.

“Currently, there are more than 100 British companies based in Kenya with a portfolio of over £2.3 billion. Most notable British firms include Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, GlaxoSmithKline, ACTIS (formerly CDC Capital Partners), De La Rue and Unilever. In addition to the large number of British firms in Kenya, the UK is the 2nd largest export destination of Kenyan products outside Africa,” said Mohamed.

The CS thanked the Government of the United Kingdom for positively reviewing travel advisories on Kenya in June, this year saying the tourism sector had suffered serious setbacks due to travel advisories that have discouraged visitors from the country.

“Following this review, the UK has lifted previous restrictions on visits to Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties due to improved security situation. I urge the UK Government to review the advisories altogether to further boost the sector which has already shown strong signs of recovery,” she said.

She said tourism was one of the key sectors of Kenya’s economy which also offers enormous opportunities for investment.

She assured investors that Kenya is secure for tourism and investments noting that Kenya was working closely with the United Kingdom and other international partners in enhancing security and especially containing terrorism.

CS Mohammed is accompanied by her Treasury colleague Henry Rotich. Also present was Jeremy Awori, MD Barclays Bank Kenya.

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