The Head of State confirmed his attendance while speaking during the African Special Economic Zones (SEZs) annual meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
President William Ruto on Thursday, November 28 announced that he will leave the country on Friday, November 29 to attend an East African Community (EAC) summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Head of State confirmed his attendance while speaking during the African Special Economic Zones (SEZs) annual meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The president disclosed that during the summit, which will be attended by EAC Heads of State, discussions will be held on how to improve the business environment in the region.
“The East African Community (EAC) has adopted a unified Special Economic Zones (SEZ) policy to harmonize the treatment of goods produced within these zones. Among the assignments I will be having tomorrow, where we have our EAC summit, is to look at the business environment.
President William Ruto when he returned from his state visit of the United States (US). /PCS
“Tomorrow in Arusha, the Heads of State from EAC will be meeting and among the targets we will be looking at is how to improve the business environment and how to integrate our economies more. The item of SEZs that was agreed on by our ministers is going to be approved at the summit,” President Ruto remarked.
He also revealed that according to the recently approved EAC Special Economic Zone regulation, EAC member states will enjoy free movement of goods across the region.
Ruto further called for African investors to invest in their countries so that eventually, the African continent can benefit from inclusive growth.
“Accordingly, the recently approved EAC SEZs regulation of 2024 will ensure the free movement of goods across member states, bolstering regional integration and positioning economic zones as catalysts for industrialization and growth,” President Ruto stated.
“Investors must not necessarily be white or foreign. You find many African business people investing their hard-earned money in other continents because they do not have as much faith in our continent. I think it’s time that Africans first and foremost believe in themselves and invest in their countries before we ask others to invest in our countries and in our continent.”
Consequently, he invited investors to take advantage of Kenya’s economic zones and open even more opportunities for the African continent, including through joint initiatives that elevate the economic zones and drive collective transformation.
Recent International Trips
In November, Ruto left the country for an official visit to South Sudan where he held talks with his host Salva Kiir. State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said that the trip was aimed at consolidating the South Sudanese political transition through the Tumaini Peace Consensus.
During that visit, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to shared growth, regional cooperation, and sustainable development.
Also, between September 3-6, Ruto flew out to China for the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing where he held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Head of State Xi Jinping.
President Ruto has increased the frequency of his international trips once again. He, who was known for his frequent international engagements, had an almost three-month travel drought and before mid-August, he last travelled abroad in mid-June when he attended a summit in Italy before extending to Switzerland.
President William Ruto alongside First Lady Rachel Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi before leaving the country for Tanzania and Zimbabwe on April 25, 2024. /PCS
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