20 New British Companies to Open Shop in Kenya

Twenty new British companies are set to open shop in Kenya, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May has announced.

Speaking at Kenya-UK business forum at Strathmore University in Nairobi, May said the entry of the 20 companies in Kenya was a clear demonstration of the confidence the British investors have in Kenya’s investment environment.

“British companies are known for their high quality standards and strict adherence to labour laws which are hallmarks of fair trade,” May said.

There are more than 100 British companies currently operating in Kenya and employing over 250,000 people.

On his part, President Kenyatta assured the investors that Kenya will continue creating a conducive environment for doing business.

“With the Big 4 agenda in place, my Government is ready to offer any support to any investor willing to venture into any of the sectors involved including manufacturing so as to move this country’s exports up the value chain and supplement our existing export offerings,” said the President.

“To ensure a simpler and cost effective way of doing business, my government has established a one stop shop approach (in the setting  up of businesses) to make it easy for the investors,” said the President.

The President said UK was one of Kenya’s reliable global partners in investments and trade.

“The UK is a major source of Kenya’s foreign direct investments(FDI), contributing around 40% of Kenya’s total FDI inward flows annually. Indeed, UK is the number one investor in Kenya,” said President Kenyatta.

May arrived in Kenya on Thursday morning for a one-day official visit. She became the first British PM to visit Kenya in more than three decades after Margret Thatcher.