Marsabit begins review of trade and investment policies

By Caroline Waforo

The Marsabit county department of trade, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has begun the process of reviewing the trade fund policy and the trade and investment policy aimed at improving the business environment and attracting more investors.

Speaking on the sidelines of a two-day workshop to review draft versions of the policies, chief officer for trade Mahad Dida said the trade and investment policy will include provisions aimed at attracting more investors to the county by leveraging available resources.

Dida said Marsabit county has numerous investment opportunities that remain underutilized, adding that the policy seeks to create a more favorable environment for investors and businesses.

Meanwhile, trade department Director Hussein Kasa said the trade fund policy is also intended to empower small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to capital. He noted that the county plans to begin offering special loans to traders once the policy is finalized and approved.

Kasa said access to capital remains one of the major challenges facing small-scale traders and that the initiative is expected to help them expand their businesses.

Following the policy review meetings, the department of trade is expected to conduct public participation forums to give residents, traders, and other stakeholders an opportunity to provide their views and recommendations on the policy.

The feedback collected will be considered during the finalization process before the policy proceeds to the next stages of approval and implementation.