At least 2,900 Kenyan locals are set to benefit from direct employment opportunities from a Sh91billion revolutionary project set to be established by a Turkish conglomerate at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Speaking in Nairobi today during the unveiling of finer details of the project by Turkish Special Economic Zone SEZ Limited, president of the parent company, Turkish Industry Holding Mehment Coskun said the six factories will produce an assortment of item including; ceramic and granite tiles, sanitary towels, toilet paper, towel napkins, and iron and aluminium products.
“We are looking to employ 2,900 people directly and besides creating combined employment opportunities for over 30,000 locals indirectly. We are going to push out of Naivasha to export a minimum of 500 containers of different products per day through the port of Mombasa.” Coskun said.
The project was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday.
Coskun further noted that 70 per cent of their production will be for the export market in Europe and the United States.
He observed that the plants are expected to be operational in two and a half years, following the completion of logistics, including the importation of necessary equipment and machinery. He also stated that there will be a technical institute in the area, with accomplished students working in the factories.
Additionally, Vice President in charge of its Africa Operations, businessman Mwaniki Munuhe added that the investment initiative will also offer work possibilities for thousands of locals.
“This will create so many jobs the farmers around there will have a lot of markets where they can supply foodstuff,” he said.
On the other hand, Abdulhakim Alici, vice president of Turkish Industry Holding, acknowledged that four of the six factories will have new innovation and technology that has not yet been introduced in Africa.
“Kenya is the most attractive investment destination-politically, economically, and geographically- for large-scale investments. We became convinced that Kenya offers us the greatest potential. We became convinced that Kenya is the most attractive investment destination-politically, economically, and geographically- for large-scale investments. We became convinced that Kenya offers us the greatest potential,” he said.
During the ground-breaking ceremony the Special Economic Zone in Naivasha, the President said their construction will usher in a new era of enhanced contribution to the country’s industrialization agenda.
Among the products that will be produced by the six factories include ceramic and granite tiles, sanitary towels, toilet paper and towel napkins as well as iron and aluminium products.
“By this ground-breaking ceremony for six factories driven by new-innovation and technology, we are now on the cusp of a true industrial take-off. A single aggregate investment of Sh90 billion is set to usher in a new era of accelerated economic development; characterized by greater visibility of the magical tag, Made-in-Kenya,” he said.
