Pascal Lamy, the outgoing WTO director-general. Photo/FILE
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The remarks put Kenya in good stead in regard to the annual WTO allocation of funds to countries across the world standing at $15 billion per year.
Kenya has received special attention across the globe following the country’s massive undertaking of development projects to expand its economy, the outgoing World Trade Organisation (WTO) director-general Pascal Lamy has said.
The remarks put Kenya in good stead in regard to the annual WTO allocation of funds to countries across the world standing at $15 billion per year.
The development comes on the back of heavy-capital investment projects the country has undertaken in the sectors ICT and infrastructure in a bid to drive growth.
Speaking Wednesday on a Kenyan tour at the University of Nairobi, Mr Lamy lauded the government for putting priority on key economic sectors to power growth.
“It is a positive thing that Kenya is expanding its economic model through key developments,” he said.
Mr Lamy particularly pointed out roads project saying that besides easing traffic congestion, the country is set to benefit from the economic multiplier effect associated with such undertakings that will spin off job opportunities.
The country has in the recent past embarked on the construction of a series of road projects with the latest being the Nairobi Southern bypass valued at Sh17.1 billion to be completed in the next two years.
The Southern connects to the Northern and Eastern bypass (completed last year) to drive traffic out and decongest the central business district.
Former president Kibaki last year commissioned the opening of the Thika Superhighway valued at over Sh32 billion.
The international agency also emphasised the importance of ICT in driving the economy.
The country has over the years witnessed deeper and faster Internet penetration thanks to the government’s investment in technology.
The number of firms providing undersea Internet connection has also grown to four namely Seacom, Teams, Eassy and Lion.
Mr Lamy challenged Kenya to invest in its education sector arguing that a skilled-based economy is more sustainable compared to resource-based.
He cited South Korea as having been a low income country in the 50’s but has since grown into an emerging economy as a result of its policies aimed at developing its human capital.
