Kenya joins world top in business reforms

Story by DAVID MUGONYI in London
Publication Date: 10/12/2007
 
Kenya has received an international award for reforms that have made it easier to do business in the country.
 
And immediately after receiving the award, Finance minister Amos Kimunya called on voters to re-elect President Kibaki for his reforms and for putting the country on the world map.
 
The country was ranked among the world’s 10 top reformers for making it simpler to start businesses, enhancing investor protection, increased access to credit and easing tax burdens.
 
The recognition was given by the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank group.
 
Mr Kimunya received Kenya’s award during the launch of the World Bank/IFC’s Doing Business Report 2008 in London. The study was conducted in 178 countries.
 
Only three countries in Africa were recognised in order of merit - Egypt, Ghana and Kenya.
 
IFC said: “Kenya launched an ambitious licensing reform programme. So far the programme has eliminated 110 business licences and simplified eight others.”
The reforms had cut the cost and time of getting building permits. Property registration was also faster now.
 
Mr Kimunya said: “For us it is good to know we have done well. We were not doing so to get an award but we share this good news with investors.”
He said the Kibaki Government had eased red tape in doing business and removed several licences.
 
“We had 1,300 licences and laws that impact negatively on doing business. They were totally unnecessary and last week we scrapped more than 200 others,’ he said.
 
Mr Kimunya who was accompanied by Kenya’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Joseph Muchemi said the award had boosted the Government and it hopes to attract more investors.
 
The minister said it was President Kibaki’s reform and development record that had seen tremendous economic growth and reduction of poverty levels from 56.8 per cent to 46 per cent within four years.
He said within the first term of the President more than two million Kenyans have moved from living below the poverty line.
 
The Government was planning to invest Sh500 billion to transform the country if it is re-elected in December. The money will be used in the tourism industry, irrigation schemes, more power generation among other issues.
 
Mr Kimunya dismissed the current opinion polls rankings that indicate ODM’s Raila Odinga was preferred to Kibaki saying the opposition candidate’s lead was temporary.
 
He told Kenyans living in the UK at the High Commission offices: “Don’t mind about the political temperatures, it will find its level. You will see a difference within a month as statistics correct themselves.”
 
The minister told Kenyans to elect a “predictable, credible and tested” leader.
The ranking is an annual series issued by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. 
http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/media.nsf/Content/Doing_Business_2008

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From: Sang Kip

re: Kenya joins world top in business reforms

How about the oppressed within the borders of our country? Good figures are only good for the select few in Kenya. Kibaki should still go home. We have in ODM architects of what Kibaki is now boasting for. With ODM we shall achieve even better results.
 
KIBAKI MUST GO HOME!

Note: forwarded message appears  at  top.