22nd October 2021, Acacia Hotel, Kisumu

Multi- agency Action plan to implement the inland blue economy has been launched today in Kisumu at a stakeholders workshop for the Chief Executive Officers on Blue Economy initiatives in the Lake Victoria Region.

During this workshop, a  Memorandum of Cooperation on collaboration and partnership on provision of services enhancing economic activities in the lake basin region was signed.

The chief guest at the workshop was the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Defence Eugene Wamalwa with participants from both public and private sectors represented. The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) was represented by CEO Mr. Samuel Matonda.

In his remarks at the workshop, Mr. Matonda underscored that KNCCI supports the spirit of Sustainable Blue-Economy Plan as highlighted in the Medium-Term Plan of the Kenya Vision 2030. He stated that the strategies set aim to promote sustainable use of coastal and inland water resources and that the proposed multi-agency collaboration is a much-welcomed initiative by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) to partner in creating optimal use of the blue economy resources and synergy creation.

The CEO acknowledged that through the partnership , the Chamber will facilitate the trickle-down of implementation of the agreement by sensitizing it’s members in order to adopt new practices and invest in new business frontiers like the circular economy.

By signing of the cooperation agreement, the parties agreed to collaborate between their respective organizations for the purpose of synergy in matters of enhancing, promoting and ensuring coordinated growth and vibrancy of the region’s blue economy activities for the well being of the local, national and regional communities.

The Cooperation will also see the parties work together in partnership in areas of infrastructure, transport, tourism, cultural and aquatic sports, fisheries, and aquaculture, governance and legislation, standardization, trade and investment, environmental and natural resources management, research and development and in areas addressing climate change and resilience investment initiatives.