Kwale
County Governor Salim Mvurya has welcomed local and foreign investors to the county
saying it offers the best investment environment and opportunities. Governor
Mvurya has also assured that the County Government of Kwale has invested
heavily in infrastructure development, and is ready to partner with all
stakeholders in a bid to transform the lives of Kwale residents.
He
made the remarks at Southern Palms Beach Resort in Diani on Friday evening when he
officially opened the Co-Willing Economic Development Conference 2018.
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| Governor Salim Mvurya 3rd left in a recent function |
The
conference whose theme is ‘Sustainable
Development in Africa: Leading The Way’ is the first ever to be held in
Kenya and draws participants from Switzerland, Kenya, South Africa, Lesotho, South
Sudan among other states.
"I
am happy that among the 47 counties in Kenya, Co-Willing has chosen Kwale
County as their favorite destination for launching their projects. I can assure
you that you’ve made rights choice because Kwale County has the best investment
opportunities and environment," said the Governor.
Governor
Mvurya also described Kwale County as the best tourist destination in Africa with
Diani beach having been voted the best beach for four consecutive years. "We
have also invested heavily in education to grow professional and skilled
manpower, an integral component for serious investment," he added.
In
its investments agenda, the Co-Willing group focuses mainly on ethical
leadership, good governance, renewable energy, food security, urban and rural
development, better waste management with an aim of implementing the Sustainable
Development Goals through skills training.
Speaking
at the forum, the Swiss Ambassador to Kenya Ralf Heckner said the investment
group whose headquarters are in Geneva, will create many opportunities for
Kwale residents. "The
partnership between Kwale County Government and Co-Willing will create many opportunities
particularly for the local residents," said the Ambassador who hailed
Governor Mvurya's exemplary leadership.
He
said that Governor Salim Mvurya who is also the in coming Chair of the Council
of Governors will have added advantage to enhance Kwale county’s development
agenda. "You
as the incoming Chair of Council of Governors will be better placed to unite
the 47 counties in Kenya, and initiate agendas that will be beneficial to the
people." Said the envoy.
The
group's Kenyan Director who is also its Treasurer Mr. Patrick Kisia said when
Co-Willing was deliberating on its investment program in Kenya, Kwale County was
their favorite choice because of its open and accountable leadership, best
investment policies and practices, and its development record.
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| Kwale County: Milalani-Mivumoni-Kilulu road upgrade. |
Mr.
Kisia singled out Kwale among the 47 Kenyan counties, saying that it has been
pursuing a strong, stable, and a trans-formative development agenda. "In
the education sector, Kwale County has an exemplary scholarship program under
the ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative. This will in the long run grow a good number of
professional and skilled manpower needed to steer its economic agenda to
greater heights," He said.
Through
Governor Mvurya’s leadership, the county government of Kwale is offering full
scholarship to 3310 students studying in form two, three and four in various national
schools and 1440 others in national varsities. Also more than 600 other
students have joined form one in various national schools this January. In addition
the county government of Kwale pays normal bursaries to many students learning county,
sub-county and other institutions.
Governor
Mvurya was accompanied by Kwale County Secretary Martin Mwaro, County Executive
Committee Member for Infrastructure Development and Public Works Hemed Mwabudzo,
County Executive Committee Member for Health Francis Gwama Mwatsahu, County Executive
Committee Member for Education Mangale Chiforomodo, County Executive Committee
Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development Joan Nyamasyo among
other county officials.
Other
key speakers from the Co-Willing group included its President Susi Gubler, Linda
Kakai, Johnson Mwakazi, Rommel Roberts from South Africa and Hans Herren from USA.
The Co-Willing group is planing to put up a model solar
energy plant at Shimoni area.
Source: GPS Kwale
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