NAIROBI, Kenya, May 30 – The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) has launched a bid to liberalize engineering services as part of efforts to improve market access.
Speaking at a pre-conference event on Tuesday, EBK Chairperson Erastus Mwongera said discussions to liberalize engineering services will form the core agenda at the 4th Engineering Partnership Convention (EPC 2023) slated to be held in Nakuru from June 14 to 16.
“Liberalization reduces barriers to trade among countries. The Board is keen on establishing the opportunities, threats and the required local capacities in the globally opened market,” he noted.
EPC 2023 will bring together stakeholders in engineering education, training and practice.
The convention will also draw a roadmap for the accession of the Washington Accord, an international agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes.
EBK will also commission the 4th Cohort of Graduate Engineers Internship Programme (GEIP) and unveil Engineers Project Registration Portal, a central repository for listing projects under development.
Roads and Transport Principal Secretary Joseph Mungai Mbugua, who graced the pre-conference event, said the ministry was alive to challenges faced by engineering professionals in Kenya.
Mbugua who represented Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen singled out low registration rate of professional engineers among key challenged.
He also listed low consumption of local content in the delivery of engineering services and works and unharmonized engineering standards, alignment of engineering education training and capacity building.
To address some of these challenges, the Convention will make various proposals for consideration by the ministry in a bid to improve the policy and regulatory framework.
Engineering-led transformation
Mbugua said EPC 2023 will provide a platform to showcase the critical role of engineers in the economic transformation.
“Under roads and transport, engineers create linkage that reduces trade barriers, improves market access, promotes economic activities across the country, attract both domestic and foreign investments,” the PS noted.
Kenya will seek to highlight the government’s commitment to put in place policies and programs aimed at reducing the cost of doing business towards the implementation of the Vision 2030 and by and large Africa’s Agenda 2063.
“There will be sessions to sensitize delegates on the Kenya Kwanza Plan priorities. The Plan is keen on bringing down the cost of living, eradicating hunger, creating jobs, expanding the tax base, improving our foreign exchange balance, and inclusive growth,” Mungai said.
“The Ministry is implementing reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport sector. This includes the modernization of regulatory frameworks, promoting competition, and streamlining administrative processes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enhance service delivery,” he added.
The PS said the ministry is making efforts to enhance road maintenance programs to ensure existing infrastructure is kept in good condition as it works on upgrading and expansion of the road networks to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
“The Ministry is further promoting digitalization and e-government services to simplify processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance transparency.
This includes the implementation of electronic systems for vehicle registration, licensing, and traffic management, making it easier and more cost-effective for individuals and businesses to comply with regulations,” Mbugua explained.
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