New Delhi: India has been invited by Kenya to take part in one of the largest infrastructure development projects in Africa- the Lamu Port and Lamu Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET).
Trade Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, said: "We want Indian participation in each and every aspect of this project. With excellent infrastructure development capacities shown by Indian companies they can compete in the project. There will be a railway line, a resort, a port, an oil pipeline and highway construction. India has a proven capability in developing of these infrastructure.”
This statement has come while he was addressing the eighth India-Africa Project Partnership Summit. Various nations have already forayed into the project and India would fail to bag profit if it does not make its move soon.
Mwakwere also stressed on the requirement for India to establish production unit in Kenya and also said attractive incentives will be offered to the Indian companies.
- Related article: India keen on backing Lamu port project
India is interested in helping Kenya build the proposed multi-billion shillings Port of Lamu. The development follows a visit by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka last week aimed at wooing investors.
India’s interest came through a proposal by Chief Minister of India’s wealthiest state, Gujarat, Mr Narenda Modi, to co-host with Kenya an investment conference on the development of the Lamu port.
India has also shown interest in the port’s infrastructure, which includes roads, a railway and airports in a proposed 22 billion dollars development plan.
Modi told the VP and his delegates in Ahmedabad that the State had the experience and expertise to help Kenya attract resources necessary to develop a major port.
In the first phase of the project, the Government plans to construct the first three berths with associated infrastructure at Manda Bay in Lamu.
Amenities to be built along with the berths include access roads, railway sidings, warehouses and buildings.
Kalonzo welcomed Modi’s offer, arguing the conference could help Kenya attract additional investors for the Port of Lamu alongside those who have shown interest and commitment.
Modi said for Kenya to grow quickly, emphasis should be put on infrastructure, modernised agriculture as well as value addition through agro-processing and manufacturing.
Source: The Standard http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?incl=blogComment&id=%202000034684&cid=159
