Kenyan envoys have been challenged to aggressively market the country as an attractive and preferred investment destination in their countries of accreditation.
President Mwai Kibaki threw the challenge while addressing the envoys at Leisure lodge Resort in Mombasa during the official opening of the 15th Biennial Kenya Ambassadors/High Commissioners Conference Monday noted that an aggressive campaign to improve the country" image abroad was important to accelerate the economic developmental goals as outlined in the Vision 2030.
‘Repackage our image'
The Head of State told the diplomats to continuously promote both the country's broad and strategic interests particularly those that would catalyze the attainment of Kenya's priority economic goals.
The President observed, "This can only be possible if you become proactive and evolve strategies that will market Kenya as an attractive and competitive destination with excellent opportunities and facilities for foreign investors, businessmen and tourists."
In this regard the, President Kibaki noted that the diplomats had a duty to project the image of the country positively by availing reliable information about the country during their interactions with government's of countries of representation.
"This is particularly critical as we must repackage our image which was dented by the political difficulties that we faced early last year," the President said.
Aggressive strategies
The Head of State reaffirmed that the diplomats had a significant role to play in the implementation of Vision 2030 by engaging development partners and attracting investors to collaborate with the government in funding projects in key sectors of the economy.
Said the President, "This is where your role as Kenya's top diplomats is very critical. We expect you to devise aggressive strategies for attracting investors to partner with the Government in infrastructure development."
The President who expressed the commitment of the government to make Kenya a globally competitive nation said that among the priority areas of partnerships with donors are infrastructural development, trade and investment.
He told the top diplomats to enlarge their focus from the traditional markets for Kenya's products and instead to explore new markets and attract foreign direct investments.
President Kibaki said, "You are, therefore, expected to engage our partners more vigorously and also strengthen trade support networks through our Embassies as a means of trade facilitation and enhanced competitiveness."
Strengthen relations
The President stated that due to the volatility of the global economy, the country must diversify its economic activities to hedge against unpredictable outcomes such as the current economic meltdown.
"I, therefore, urge you to explore new ways and means and even propose bold choices that will enable us to fully leverage our considerable diplomatic potential in support of Kenya's competitiveness," the Head of State said.
He further called on the diplomats to strengthen relations with development partners in support of programmes in the social sector particularly the free primary education and free tuition in secondary schools.
The President observed, "To sustain these important programmes, we expect you to help us in continuously engaging our friends and partners who have been assisting in funding our free education programmes."
The Head of State expressed satisfaction that the emphasis the government has put on manpower and skills development over the years, the country has become a net exporter of skilled manpower and affirmed the importance of integrating the Diaspora in national development as well as in foreign policy formulation.
"The Diaspora is not only crucial for remittances back home but perhaps more importantly for transfer of skills, knowledge and technology. I am pleased to note that you will be devoting a substantial part of your discussions on the Diaspora and you have even gone a step ahead and invited representatives of the large Kenyan Diaspora to take part in the discussions," declared the President.
The President at the same told the diplomats to seek ways of unveiling Kenyans into the international labour market.
Integration
He, however, pointed out that the country's economic success depended largely on peace, security and amicable resolution of conflicts both internally and regionally.
"That is why we are fully engaged in finding a lasting solution to the difficulties in Somalia. The escalating crisis in Somalia and the related problem of piracy off Somalia's coastline are of great concern to our security and competitiveness," he observed."
During the occasion President Kibaki affirmed Kenya's commitment to integration as well as shared prosperity adding that the country will continue participating actively in various regional, continental and international bodies.
The Head of State said, "This explains our active participation in regional bodies such as the East African Community, IGAD and COMESA. We must also remain active in the African Union and the United Nations as well as international organizations such as the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement."
He commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for proactively changing with time to competently address complex and fast shifting global issues as evidenced by the preparation and submission of a new foreign policy framework for cabinet approval.
In this regard the President called for patriotic and effective management of Kenya's foreign missions to supplement government efforts of creating a stable and prosperous nation whose citizens enjoy high and quality living standards.
New policy
Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang'ula in his welcoming address said a new foreign policy with emphasis on trade and economic diplomacy has been designed as a principle for interaction with the rest of the world.
The new policy, Mr. Wetang'ula added has undergone all the stages of stakeholder consultation and was ready for submission to the cabinet.
On rationalization in the ministry, Mr Wetang'ula said the Shs. 847 m saved annually from privatizing non-core activities has facilitated the opening of seven new diplomatic missions in Madrid, Bujumbura, Seoul, Kuwait, Dublin, Bangkok and Brasilia.
Thanking the President for officially opening the new high commission offices in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, the minister proposed the utilization of pension funds to acquire or construct new embassy premises overseas.
"The Ministry should borrow a leaf from Tanzanians who are constructing their mission offices in Nairobi using pension funds and partner with NSSF and RBA to invest in the low-risk acquisition of mission offices project abroad", Mr. Wetangula suggested.
The conference whose theme is "Leveraging Kenya's Diplomacy for Enhanced Competitiveness" would consider how best Kenyans in the Diaspora could be integrated in the national development efforts and review the effects of post election challenges and the global financial crisis in relation to future diplomatic engagements.
The conference was attended by Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister Richard Onyonka and permanent secretaries Thuita Mwangi and Francis Kimemia among other senior government officials.
