The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga unveiled a 15-point agenda for the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises which he said would be used to scale up Kenyan’s economy if elected President in the forthcoming general election.
In his grand plan in wooing the business communities introduced on Monday morning, Odinga plans to create tax breaks to the private sector, subsidised credit, state guarantees for borrowing, tariff exemptions and preferential access to imported inputs required to produce exports.
This is intended to empower the private sector to position the country at the top of the map among trading nations.
His proposals seek to target industries with realistic chances of penetrating the global market based on the current situation in the country and across the world.
“We will sponsor monthly trade promotion meetings, bringing together highest-level government officials, key ministries, exporters, researchers, education institutions and trading companies for exchange of ideas, information, goals and to improve coordination and mutual understanding between private and public sectors,” said Odinga in a statement.
Odinga pledged to support the sector in shifting to exporting raw material and agricultural produce to industrial manufacturing.
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“We shall provide firms with economic diplomacy and support them through political and economic intelligence, introduction and advice to exploit opportunities in new markets.”
The Former Prime Minister promised to invest in education, research and development and Information Communication and Technology to uplift the sector.
“We will continue investing in education, training, R&D, efficient bureaucracy and strong financial systems in support of the private sector.
We intend to invigorate the ICT Sector and make it an engine of growth and become a source of foreign exchange.”
In the planning body awards, the chief opposition leader said his administration will unveil an award scheme for excellent exporters and map out how to push up their share of African and world markets.
“We plan to set up a body dedicated to long-term planning and regular review meetings on our international trade or export agenda.”
Odinga also pledged to offer a level playing ground for small and medium-size firms and is set big corporations, a move that is intended to uplift the struggling small businesses.
He further vowed to help Kenyan companies secure international contracts.
