Deputy President William Ruto (C) with Governor Jackson Mandago (2nd L), Businessman David Lagat (2nd R) and Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter (R) at the construction site for the Industrial Park in Plateau on July 7, 2017. [Photo: hivisasa.com]
It is all systems go for the construction of the first ever privately owned Special Economic Zone in Uasin Gishu.
On Friday, the Deputy President William Ruto presided over the ground breaking for the Sh200 billion industrial park at Plateau area, located about 17 kilometre from Eldoret town.
Speaking during the event that was attended by local and international investors, Ruto reaffirmed the Jubilee government's commitment to ensuring conducive environment that attracts more investors in the county.
He said the Industrial Park is a product of their administration's efforts that saw the enactment of the Special Economic Zones Act.
"We have always been talking about creation of job opportunities through partnership with local and international investors and what we are doing today is a classic example of that," noted Ruto.
"This Industrial Park will not only create job opportunities for our young people but also allow for the value addition of farm produce in this Agricultural rich region," he added.
The Pearl River Industrial Park is the first phase of the Sh200 billion project which is a joint venture between Africa Economic Zones (AEZ) and the Guangdong Zew South Group of China.
The Park that will comprise largely of manufacturing industries will be set up on a 700-acre piece of land.
In the second phase of the project, an ICT Industrial Park will be set up around Eldoret town with the focus on housing electronics companies while the third phase will focus on Recreational facilities and Hospitals near the University of Eldoret.
The project is expected to be completed within the next 10 years and will result in creation of 40,000 direct jobs and over 150,000 indirect jobs.