Governor Kiraitu Murungi has offered to give Chinese investors free land in his county to take advantage of the outcomes of Kenya-China agreements on the China International Imports Exhibition.
According to the Meru County boss, this is part of his efforts to attract investment in agribusiness and the hospitality industry.
Besides, Kiraitu promised that his county will equally help the foreign investors acquire national government licences to fast-track the establishment of processing plants.
"Our county will support the Chinese investors in acquiring licences which slow down foreign investment. We will also provide free land and an educated labour force to support the investments," he stated.
The County chief is seeking to woo investors in macadamia processing and packaging as well as the construction of hotels in Meru National Park.
Kiraitu made the revelation during a meeting with a delegation led by China’s Anhui Province Deputy Governor Zhou Xi’an.
He further noted that the investors will not only process agricultural produce but also help with access to the Chinese market.
The Governor noted that since Meru is a major producer of Macadamia and China has a big market for the product, the partnership with Anhui Province will see farmers reap more benefits.
"Meru National Park is a unique tourist attraction but we lack hotel space. We are looking for a Chinese investors to put up a hotel and attract Chinese tourists to Meru," Kiraitu added.
The Chinese delegation had toured South Africa before embarking on the Kenyan visit with a keen interest in partnering with Meru in manufacturing, create jobs and supply the Chinese market with high quality goods.
"China has opened its domestic market to foreign investments, now more than ever before. We can partner with Meru in providing high quality goods to the Chinese market.
"We are glad that Meru is giving priority to local development as well as foreign investment," the Chinese Deputy Governor noted.
