NAIROBI, Kenya December 13 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo has announced plans to establish economic zones in North Kivu province for investors wishing to locate in the region.

North Kivu Governor Lieutenant-General Constant Kongba Ndima, who spoke during the ongoing Kenya DRC trade mission in Goma, eastern DRC, said the region is creating an environment conducive to private sector development.

“The province of North Kivu creates an environment conducive to the development of the private sector. It has demarcated economic zones in the territories of North Kivu as part of the industrialization policy, ”he declared.

The governor hailed the trade mission, organized by the governments of the DRC and Kenya in collaboration with Equity, as a key forum that reflects a commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at a time when the country is also seeking foreign direct investment.

Citing the opportunities in the areas of electricity supply, gas, real estate, telecommunications and road maintenance in North and South Kivu, the Governor said there are more than 30 million consumers in the region.

He thanked the delegation for making the trip which reaffirms the determination and resilience of Kenyans in entrepreneurship in the region.

The Mayor of Goma, Commissioner General François Kabeya, while welcoming visitors to the region, said increased business growth will increase employment and wealth for residents of Goma, a town on the border with Rwanda. .

“It is an honor for Goma to host this mission which unlocks the potential of Kenya and the DRC by paving the way for collaboration in various sectors,” he said.

Equity Group chief executive and CEO James Mwangi said the bank has set aside $ 5 million for entrepreneurs to invest in tourism, manufacturing and other sectors in the region.

“This mission is to unite our people. There are no better people than the business world that takes risks, makes mistakes but creates wealth, ”he said.

Regarding agriculture, Mwangi said Equity was ready to sponsor 20 farmers from DRC to travel to Kenya and assist with rice production in Mwea.

Likewise, he said, “we can ask our farmers to come and see how cocoa is grown and instead of exporting to Europe to make chocolate, we can do it here in Goma”.

Kenya’s Chief Administrative Secretary for Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Lawrence Karanja said the DRC is a key market for Kenya, being its 6th trading partner.

“We have now brought in a commercial attaché and our commercial airline; Kenya Airways leased two planes from Air Congo. We used to have two direct flights to Goma, but now there are three. We are looking to have daily flights, ”he said, adding that the dry port of Naivasha will reduce the distance for transporting goods to Goma.