United Kingdom (UK) has said that it is committed in supporting Kenya on regulatory reforms, both nationally and in countes.
In his speech, Pete Vowles, Country Director – DFID Kenya, at the Launch of the 2017 Doing Business Report, he acknowledge the significance of the Ease of Doing business report to Kenya.
“In recognising the benefits of such reports, the UK along with the Dutch, recently funded the Sub National Doing Business Report which adopted the national doing business methodology to assess and rank a select number of counties in Kenya, with a similar aim of increasing business environments across Kenya,” Pete Vowles said.
“The British government acknowledges the significance of the Ease of Doing business report to Kenya, especially as it reflects on the expansive gains from the continuing reforms by the Kenya government to improve the general business environment and effectively increase investment flows into the country,” he added.
Pete said that, following Kenya rising 26 places in the ease of doing business around the country, the nation stands a chance to peform better in future.
“In 2016, Kenya was among the top 3 global reformers and rose 26 places in the Ease of Doing Business Rankings. Even more momentum has been built to ensure these improvements are sustained,” Pete said.
“As a result, Kenya is therefore expected to perform even better in the 2017 Doing Business rankings, which will be shortly launched by his Excellency the Deputy President, William Ruto.”
UK support to Kenya
Vowels pete noted that UK is a major development partner on economic development and business environment reform in Kenya.
“We have provided £12.5m (around KSh 1.6 billion) to the World Bank for its investment climate support to the Government of Kenya, which has supported, amongst other things; the Integration of KRA and KenTrade systems, the Warehouse Receipt System, and government policy on Special Economic Zones,” he said.
However, the Country Director said that some of these positive results were as result of Kenya government support.
“Of course the United Kingdom can’t pretend to be doing it all alone on business reform in Kenya and the Government of Kenya should be commended for the political leadership they have shown for delivering such reforms,” he said
“The automation of business processes and institution of relevant investment-friendly legislation are but some of the recognisable efforts the government has put in place in attaining the achievements that we will be celebrating today.”