Malaysia to invest in Mombasa free port project, says governor

Investors from Malaysia are set to support Mombasa county’s plans to transform the port into a free port.

In its budget estimates of Sh33.9 billion for the financial year 2013/2014, Mombasa has earmarked Sh1 billion for the purchase of land for the free port project.

Governor Hassan Ali Joho said Malaysia investors have shown interest in the free port project to boost trade between south east Asia and Kenya.

Mr Joho said while on a visit to Malaysia last week, he held talks with investors over the county’s plans to transform the Mombasa port into a free port. The investors are willing to finance the project to help Kenya realise the dream of having a free port, he said.

The port would be similar to Port Klang which is the largest port in Malaysia. Port Klang has an integrated 1,000-acre free commercial and industrial zone.

“The project will boost trade and economic growth in Mombasa, creating new jobs ,” he said.

The governor said a Malaysian business delegation is set to visit Mombasa next month to explore various economic investments. “I am glad that our free port project has attracted support from Malaysian investors who are ready to supplement our efforts to transform the local port,” he said.

“Following a successful visit to the tiger economic country, we expect a huge delegation of investors to tour the county next month.”

Malaysia investors are also keen to fund solid waste management projects, waste recycling and electricity generation from garbage.

This would help sort out the garbage crisis which is a major challenge in the county, he said. Mr Joho said the county has set aside Sh1.6 billion for solid waste projects aimed to sort the garbage crisis.

A recycling plant, he said, is to be put up at Mwakirunge to sort materials like glass, paper, metal, plastic and electronics before it is sold to users and manufacturers.

This would generate revenue to the county as well as prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce consumption of raw materials, cut energy usage and reduce air pollution, he said. “When the recycling plant is in place we shall be able to generate revenue through the sale of recycled papers, bottles, plastic, metal and textile,” he said.

“Such plants will also create job opportunities for our youth . The discarded materials will be turned into good use,” he said.

On tourism, he said, the county would also benefit from expertise from Malaysia which is among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world.

Last year, Malaysia attracted 25.03 million international tourists compared to 24.7 million arrivals in 2011 and was ranked ninth globally by the UN World Tourism Organisation.

“Tourism experts from Malaysia are going to help us improve our destination so that we can be able to woo more holidaymakers,” he said.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta’s goal of attracting three million tourists annually is achievable if the national government could help improve infrastructure at the Coast.’’