By Agwanda Jakorando

THE DANISH GOVERNMENT has committed approximately shs.1.3 billion to help in developing business partnership programs between Kenyan Fishing industry and the Danish business men, Danish Ambassador to Kenya Bo Jensen has said.

The Danish Ambassador said his government has already disbursed approximately DKK 75 million [about shs.1 billion] to jumpstart the program in the country, adding that he expect the program to grow hopefully with the help of investments within the fishing sector in the country.

Addressing participants at Imperial Hotel in Kisumu today during a conference organized by the Royal Danish Embassy, between the visiting Danish Business men and Kenya Entrepreneur in the fishing sector, the Ambassador urged the Kenyan government to to fully support both local and foreign investors who are ready to invest in various sectors in the country.

Jensen added that his government has managed to partner with about 30 business group across all sectors in the country and spread in almost all the provinces. The businesses range from Dairy farms, wind energy, Building and construction, engineering and architectural among others.

The Danish Ambassador further appealed to the Kenyan government to encourage more dialogue with the private sector in order to help in improving favorable business environment that can attract and retain more investors both locally and internationally.

“Our business sector program support which seeks to improve the business environment in Kenya and facilitate constructive dialogue between the government and private sector would be the ideal instrument to allow the process of capacity building of the business,” said the Ambassador in his speech.

The Danish delegation have had an opportunity to visit Mombasa on  fact finding tour and the main objective of their visit is to establish a long-term mutually benefiting joint ventures between the Danish and the Kenyan Investors as a vehicle to stimulate economic growth and development in both Mombasa and Kisumu fishing areas.

Two Permanent Secretaries, David Nalo of East African Community and his Regional Development counterpart Engineer Kerry Orege attended the function.