Slovak companies are interested in participating in major infrastructure investments in Kenya and in opportunities linked to development cooperation, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) declared on Tuesday at the opening of the Slovak-Kenyan Business and Development Forum in Nairobi.
The event is being attended by the largest Slovak business mission ever to visit sub-Saharan Africa. The delegation is made up of 35 Slovak companies and institutions operating in the fields of energy, digitisation, health care, information technology, agriculture, water management, the defence industry, modern solutions and innovation. Representatives of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) and the Slovak Export-Import Bank (Eximbanka) also form part of the mission.
"We regard Kenya as an important partner in East Africa, both politically and economically. This visit marks the beginning of a more dynamic and systematic process of deepening trade and investment relations between our countries. That's why I've brought with me a strong delegation of Slovak companies interested in contributing to Kenya's development while at the same time supporting our domestic economy," said Blanár.
According to the Minister, the Slovak-Kenyan Business and Development Forum is a key event that systematically connects trade, investment and development assistance. It's being held under the auspices of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the country's largest private-sector platform, together with SARIO and Invest Kenya, the state investment promotion agency.
Blanár welcomed the signing of memoranda of understanding between the participating organisations, saying that the documents create a foundation for concrete support of business contacts and for expanding trade relations.
"Trade turnover between Slovakia and Kenya reached €8.7 million last year, which by no means reflects the full potential of this dynamic market. Our goal is to build a long-term economic dialogue based on trust, innovation and regular meetings between business communities, thereby strengthening trade and investment cooperation," added Blanár.
Source: TASR
