Cargo infrastructure at Kisumu International Airport to be developed

Chairperson of the Lake Region Economic Bloc{LREB} Governor Wickliffe Oparanya address the press in Kisumu after a joint consultative meeting on the issue of unlocking the region's potential of trade export-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

 

 

 By Dickson Odhiambo

Cargo infrastructure at Kisumu International Airport to be developed

 

THE Infrastructure for the Cargo services at the Kisumu International Airport will be developed to help boosting the business within the Lake region Economic Bloc.

 

This has emerged during a consultative meeting among various stakeholders held today in Kisumu where stakeholders have come up with this as part of the resolutions to help in unlocking the Lake Region potential of export trade to the farmers and fisher folks.

 

Reading a joint Communique after the meeting, the Lake Region Economic Bloc {LREB} Chairman Governor Wickliffe Oparanya said as part of the resolutions, the Kenya Airport Authority has committed to accelerating the development of cargo infrastructure and services within Kisumu International Airport to facilitate the operationalization of freight processing activities urgently.

 

 

The meeting also resolved to engage the various Government Agencies involved herein and unlock regional potential of export trade to the Lake Region farmers and fishermen;

 

“The Fresh produce Consortium of Kenya, Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya, the Flower Council of Kenya and Kenya Airports Authority have committed to mobilize growers to take advantage of existing opportunities in fresh produce market,” part of the joint communique reads.

 

It has also been resolved that the discourse on the use of pesticides in horticulture and for food production should be sober and factual bearing in mind the negative impact on the economy and food security should there be a blanket ban on certain essential pesticides;

 

“The County Governments within the LREB bloc will work towards increasing agricultural production and productivity by initiating a  campaign on the adoption of modern farming techniques including; irrigation, planting of high value crops and supporting farmers entry into the export market; enhancing extension services consolidation and packaging of agricultural produce for the export market,” adds part of the joint communique.

 

The stakeholders also have resolved that all Counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc to establish Agricultural parks for research and learning as well as steering private sector towards opportunities that will emanate from the export trade facilitation and logistics.

 

They also want the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture in the National Government to withdraw the imposition of produce CESS of the 0.25% of the customs value of horticulture exports, saying this tax will kill the industry that is still struggling to recover from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“Similarly, the national Treasury should consider withdrawal of the Minimum Tax,” the joint communique further says.

 

Among the stakeholder that have met in Kisumu during the consultative meeting include the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) National Government Agencies, Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority and Fresh produce Industry for further consultation and to derive commitments towards the accelerating the establishment of the Kisumu International Cargo Division.

This has been with understanding that the key objective of the LREB is to leverage economies of scale towards optimizing the utilization of shared resources within the region particularly act together to  facilitate access to wider markets nationally, regionally and internationally.

Others include to steer economic growth by creating an enabling environment for trade and investment initiatives as well as enhancing and strengthen partnership with the private sector through Public Private Partnerships.

 

ENDS: