Kenya-Slovak Business Forum held in Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, Slovakia - Infotechinvest, under the leadership of its Director, Moses N. Craig, actively participated in the Kenya-Slovak Business Forum held at Hotel Devin in Bratislava, Slovakia. This event served as a follow-up to a previous meeting held earlier in the year in Nairobi. The forum brought together more than 40 private sector entrepreneurs representing various investment sectors. It identified Kenya as a pivotal potential partner for investments spanning education, health, mining, tourism, agriculture, ICT and technology, security, and affordable housing, among other key areas.

 

During this eventful visit, Moses N. Craig, CEO of Infotechinvest, engaged in fruitful dialogues with Slovakian government officials, influential business leaders, and prospective investors from both Kenya and Slovakia. These discussions encompassed multifaceted investment opportunities, encompassing agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, promising substantial benefits to both regions.

 

Her Excellency the Ambassador of Kenya to Slovakia, Ms. Mary Mugwanja, passionately addressed the pressing need to fortify business ties between Kenya and Slovakia. She voiced concerns about the existing trade imbalance between the two nations, where Kenya imports goods valued at over 10 million dollars from Slovakia, while Slovakia imports less than 3 million dollars from Kenya.

 

A unanimous consensus emerged that an expansion in trade volume would be mutually advantageous. Kenya and Slovakia share a robust mutual working relationship, as reflected in diverse trade flows. Notably, Kenya exports primary items such as cut flowers, legumes, fruits, nuts, coffee, and steel to Slovakia, whereas Slovakia's major exports to Kenya include paper, automobiles, fertilizers, electronics machinery, and equipment.

 

The Governor, His Hon. Mr. Gideon Maitha Mung'aro of Kilifi County passionately urged potential Slovakian investors to explore strategic investment sectors within Kilifi County. These sectors include tourism, agriculture, mining, and sports tourism. The Governor underscored the immense potential of Kilifi County, distinguished by its expansive land and picturesque coastal beaches.

 

Ms. Lucia Kiss, the Director General at the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the remarkable success of a joint project in Kenya. This initiative significantly bolstered food security and generated employment opportunities for small-scale farmers along the Kenyan coast. Kristína Krajčírová, a Consultant at the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), shed light on the diverse investment vistas awaiting exploration in Slovakia across key sectors of the nation's economy.

 

The event was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Robert Simoncic, General Director of SARIO, the principal Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency that hosted the forum. The event also welcomed Ms. Lucia Kiss, The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Slovakia, the Kenyan Ambassador to Austria, Ms. Mary Mugwanja, The Governor, His Hon. Mr. Gideon Maitha Mung'aro of Kilifi County and Mr. Timothy Odongo, Kenya's investment manager at KEPSA. Additionally, it saw participation from various representatives of investment and intergovernmental organizations.

 

Infotechinvest remains steadfast in its commitment to drive substantial change for the people of both Kenya and Slovakia through a plethora of strategic partnerships.