Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi has applauded the efforts being made by the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs in supporting the Coastal Counties towards the creation of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP) economic bloc.
The County boss said the move is a show of appreciation to the fact that regional development is a core pillar of economic development and that County integration provides the critical leverage necessary to realize economic growth.
Kingi admitted that the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani economic bloc is a vital step towards unlocking the potential that lies in the Coast region and steer its economic growth by enhancing job creation, tap into the huge market and investment opportunities and realize sustainable development.
Read: Boost as Zanzibar forge partnership with Jumuia ya Kaunti za Pwani
He was speaking after joining the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Devolution and ASALs Charles Sunkuli, together with the Chairperson of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya during the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani Economic bloc policy review forum held at the PrideInn Paradise Resort in Mombasa.
The convention provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the policy on establishment of economic blocs by Counties.
Governor Kingi disclosed that the Coastal leadership has set its eyes towards the establishment of a regional economic bloc for the betterment of the Coastal generation and those to come.
"As Coastal leadership, we have set our eyes towards the establishment of our regional economic bloc for the betterment of our generation and those to come."
On his part, Governor Mvurya decried that most county regional blocs are currently facing a myriad of challenges because of lack of policies to operationalize their activities.
Read: Kingi wants Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani driven by county departments
"Nonetheless with this engagement with the national government we're optimistic that we'll have all important policies in place," he said on Wednesday.
Also present were Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi who represented Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui who represented Governor Granton Samboja.
#hivisasaoriginal