NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 29 – President Mwai Kibaki said on Monday that infrastructure development remained his Government’s priority in promoting the country’s economic growth.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance at his Harambee House office, President Kibaki said the Government was committed to working with the private sector as a key partner in improving the country’s infrastructure.
The President also reassured that the Government is working towards addressing challenges facing the country’s private sector.
President Kibaki said his Government appreciated the important role the private sector played in economic growth and had put in place mechanisms to boost the country’s investment environment.
On the constitution, the President expressed confidence that the review process would be completed successfully and the country would get a new constitution that will serve the interests of all Kenyans including members of the private sector.
President Kibaki said the Government was also addressing the issue of high cost of energy and directed the Ministry of Energy to look for ways of lowering the costs including creating incentives to encourage the local investors to venture in energy generation.
The Head of State said the Government is implementing reforms in the police force and allocating adequate resources to the country’s security agencies as a move to boost security.
On the East African Community, the President called on the country’s private sector to set up its investment initiatives so as to benefit from the wider market provided by the region.
On the revitalisation of the private sector, the President directed the Minister of Trade to provide support to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance’s initiative on the revival of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce.
Members of the Private Sector Alliance led by their Chairman Patrick Obath noted the progress the Government has made especially in roads and ICT.
Saying the new constitution should not become a burden to the tax payer by creating unnecessary taxation avenues, members of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance preferred the adoption of a two-tier system of devolution.
On issues of economic infrastructure, they appealed to the President to fast track the Cabinet memo that will facilitate the adoption of the Electronic single window system, which is an important entity in dealing with curbing corruption and ensuring tax compliance.
Other speaker at the meeting included Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo, Roads Minister Franklin Bett and Trade Minister Amos Kimunya who outlined what their respective ministries are doing in support of the private sector.
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