Kenya woos investors at Agoa conference

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.

Washington DC: Kenya started pitching its case as a suitable investment destination with a high powered delegation at the Africa Growth Opportunities Act conference in Washington DC.

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amina Mohammed and her Industrialization counterpart Adan Mohammed led the Kenyan and East African Community delegation at the conference ahead of arrival of President Uhuru Kenyatta in the US capital.

Said Amina: "We have come here to press for the reauthorisation of the Agoa window which closes on September 30 2015 and too seek how to better trade relations with.

"It must not be lost on us that we have created 30,000 jobs under Export processing zones in Athi River and we must protect those youth who have earned jobs there, said Amina at the Agoa conference which was officially opened by US Secretary of State John Kerry at the World Bank headquarters."

Kerry said in order for Agoa to achieve its maximum potential, the  Obama Administration believes it must be linked to a Comprehensive  trade, investment and development strategy aimed at minimising supply side constraints to trade to building trade, human capacity, improving the private sector environment and driving demand.

Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed said it was time stop exports of raw materials from Africa and go for high value additions whose returns would benefit the continent's people.

"In Kenya we are pushing for the extension of Agoa window to allow more investors toto come over and continue investing in a new regime."

Agoa has been crucial in growth and of economy and exports but must be re-examined so that Africa's exports make better returns.

Adan said textiles and leather industry will be the key areas so that export of raw skins and hides is upgraded with processing of value added products produced at home.

"We are lobbying for the introduction of direct flights to move goods and services faster to the US and also appealing for relaxation of visa requirements for people to trade better," Adan said.

Amb Amina described relations between Nairobi and Washington DC as cordial deeply rooted historically but could be better.

She said political goodwill was crucial to the future of the success of investments and partnerships between the two countries.