Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has promised Chinese investors free land as he seeks to attract investment in agribusiness and the hospitality industry.
The county government will also help the foreign investors in acquiring national government licences to fast-track establishment of processing plants in the county.
Speaking when he met a delegation from China’s Anhui Province led by deputy governor Zhou Xi’an, Mr Murungi said his administration would support investors in macadamia processing, packaging and construction of hotels in Meru National Park.
Mr Xi’an, who has been leading investment delegations in South Africa before coming to Kenya, said his government was keen on partnering with Meru in manufacturing to create jobs and supply the Chinese market with high quality goods.
Mr Xi’an said the Anhui province was taking advantage of the outcomes of the Kenya-China agreements over the China International Imports Exhibition.
The two countries recently signed a memorandum of understanding on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) giving Kenya’s fresh produce access to the Chinese market.
“China has now opened its domestic market to foreign investment more than ever before. We can partner with Meru in providing high quality goods to the Chinese market. We are glad that Meru County is giving priority to local development as well as foreign investment,” Mr Xian said.
Governor Murungi said they were keen on attracting Chinese investors who will not only process agricultural produce but also have access to the China market.