Plans are underway for construction of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kenya’s Taita Taveta County. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the county government of Taita Taveta where the project will be set and the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA).
Deputy Governor, Mjala Mlagui who witnessed the signing ceremony said the project is set to make a huge social and economic impact in the county through opening up the region for national and global commerce.
“Aside from creating employment opportunities, this is a momentous opportunity toward gaining social and economic foothold not only in the country but also put our industrial capabilities on the global map,” stated Mlagui.
Also Read:Kenya to build second Special Economic Zone in Mombasa County
Industrialization strategy
The export processing zone will be sited on 600 hectares of land at Ndii allocated by the county government. The project will involve the establishment of satellite industrial parks across the four Sub-counties of Voi, Taita, Taveta, and Mwatate.
The project will commence once a Policy Act of Engagement is developed and signed. According to the Deputy Governor, the County is at an advantage position to transform into an economic powerhouse, given its proximity to key transport networks such as the Nairobi-Mombasa highways, Taveta highway linking the County to neighboring Tanzania and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
Kenya has embraced an aggressive industrialization strategy geared toward transforming the structure of the economy right from the devolved units. The industrialization strategy aims to place the country Kenya in the category of industrialized nations by 2030.
As part of the industrial transformation plan, Kenya has identified ten flagship large-scale projects as the country’s priority sectors with competitive advantages. The targeted sectors include oil, gas, and mining, textile and apparel, leather, fisheries and agro-processing.
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