Jambo Kenya Korea Winter Edition 2011 - Get a Free Blog

2
Jamuhuri Day: Kenya turns 48 with a promising future
Ngovi Kitau
Kenya Ambassador to
the Republic of Korea
Your Excellences the ambassadors, Head
of missions, Representatives of the
Korean government, fellow Kenyans,
members of the private sector,
ladies and gentlemen,
I am honored to welcome you all as we
celebrate the 48th Jamuhuri day. Jamuhuri
day is significant in Kenya’s history as it marks
the day on 12th December 1963 when Kenya
gained full independence.
We remain indebted to our freedom heroes
and heroines who sacrificed so much to
achieve liberation. Since then, Kenya’s national
development agenda has been to improve
the livelihoods of our people and to create a
globally competitive, prosperous and equitable
nation.
Fellow Kenyans, the commemoration of this
day provides an opportunity to reflect on the
journey we have travelled as a nation despite
many challenges, we have witnessed significant
progress in national development.
Annual economic growth jumped from less
than 1% in 2002 to the current 5%. This boosted
revenue collection from just Kshs. 200 billion
in 2002 to 600 billion shillings last year and
the government is now able to fund most of its
budget.
Embassy, KCK at Jinju International Agri’ Expo
By Staff Writer
The Jinju International Agriculture Expo 2011
was held in November 9 to 12, 2011 at the Jinju
Complex Stadium. The expo featured exhibits
and lectures on various agricultural topics
including biotechnology, crop production
and processing, farm machinery, livestock,
forestry and agricultural services to name a few.
Approximately 4million people attended.
The Kenya Embassy and Kenyans in Korea
were among hundreds of exhibitors at the Jinju
Agrex 2011. The Kenyan booth, located at the
Food Court Section, displayed and sold Kenyan
foods, mainly Chapati and Mandazi which
has now become Koreans’ favorite snack. The
team also gave out pamphlets and magazines
to promote Kenya. Throughout the three days,
including the opening and closing days, Kenyan
booth received hundreds of visitors from around
the world.
The expo was organized by GnA International
Co. Ltd., K. Fairs, Jinju MBC and supported
by several government and private
institutions including the Rural Development
Administration, The Korean Farmers and
Fishermen’s NEWS and the Korea Horticultural
Research Institute among others.
Concurrently, other fairs were held in Jinju
including Korean Native Seed Fair 2011, 9th
Jinju Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2011, 13th
Jinju’s Top Export of Agricultural Products
Award and 16th Farmers Day Event.
The Kenya Embassy and Kenya Community in
Korea have been active in Fairs and Exhibitions
with successful outcomes in terms of promoting
Kenya’s culture, tourism and other aspects.
Some of the exhibitions and fairs that Kenya
has featured in the recent past include: Seoul
Friendship Fair, Changwon Migrant Arirang
Fest, Kenya Culture Day, Busan International
Travel Fair, Gwangju International Community
Day and Global Gathering.
Kenya Embassy
...achievements in various sectors of our economy have set a firm foundation for
national transformation and implementation of our vision 2030.
This increased revenue has given the
government the resources needed to implement
Kenya’s development plan- vision 2030. In
consequence, various sectors of our economy
have recorded positive growth, for example, in
the energy sector over 1.7 million households
are now connected to electric power compared
to 500,000 when the Kibaki administration
came to power in 2003.
“ Annual economic
growth jumped from less
than 1% in 2002 to the
current 5%. This boosted
revenue collection from
just Kshs. 200 billion
in 2002 to 600 billion
shillings last year”
In the financial
sector 18
million Kenyans
have access to
financial services
compared to less
than one million
ten years ago.
In the roads
sub-sector we
have witnessed tremendous growth in funding
from both the government and development
partners from a budget of kshs.13 billion in
2003, funding for the sub-sector has increased
considerably to over 110 billion shillings.
We have also made great strides in education
sector. Today, close to 10 million children are
enjoying the benefits of free primary education
and government is paying tuition fees for all
students in public secondary schools.
These achievements in various sectors of
our economy have set a firm foundation for
national transformation and implementation
of our vision 2030. Our country will hold
general elections next year and we will be
convening a pre-election national cohesion and
reconciliation conference early next year.
On its part, the government has spearheaded
preparations for the next elections by facilitating
the appointment of an independent electoral and
boundaries commission and enacting IEB act.
The IEBC will supervise elections. We have
also enacted political parties act which will
guide operations of political parties, and we
now have elections act which spells out how
polls will be held.
The bilateral relations between Kenya and
Korea have grown from strength to strength.
We have witnessed deeper levels of cooperation
in areas such as trade, tourism, education,
health, agriculture, transport and energy to
name but a few.
The economic development cooperation
fund (EDCF) administered by Korea export
and import bank has contributed to Kenya’s
development projects in technology and roads
sector.
Furthermore, under the Korea international
cooperation agency (KOICA), Kenyan
professionals have been able to undertake
courses in various Korean learning institutions.
In conclusion, I wish you all happy Jamhuri
day celebrations, a blessed Christmas and a
happy and prosperous new year.
Kenya Embassy in the Replublic of Korea
Address : 243-36, Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel : 02)3785-2903~4
Fax : 02)3785-2905
E-mail : info@kenya-embassy.or.kr
By Bus
Take bus # 402, 405 and get off at Bus Stop “Grand Hyatt
Hotel”
By Subway
Get off at Hanganjin Station on Line 6
Take bus #405 and get off at But Stop “Grand Hyatt Hotel