President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the regional leadership to work closely in ensuring that bureaucratic red tape does not impede development targets.
Uhuru emphasized that Governments officials should facilitate the private sector instead of curtailing its operations.
“I have a problem with some bureaucrats who frustrate investors by taking more time approving projects. Where we have partners willing to do projects lets facilitate them,” Uhuru said.
He spoke on Thursday in Entebbe, Uganda, at the opening of the Joint Retreat of East Africa Community Heads of State.
Uhuru underscored Public-Private Partnership as a key component of regional development.He cited the example of Kenya where significant progress has been made in in infrastructural development through the Public-Private Partnerships arrangements.
“Am a strong believer in the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model. We must aspire to facilitate these partnerships to accomplish projects that will quickly transform the lives of the people,” he said calling on the region to come up with innovative ways of financing projects that have greater social returns and direct impact on the lives of the people.
Uhuru also expressed the need for the East African Community to sell itself as one region with a population of 160 million people to attract more investors.
“We have made a lot of reference to India. However India succeeded because it sold itself as a market of over one billion people where it became a base for attractive investments,” he said.
All East African leaders present agreed on the need for partnering with the Private sector to achieve faster regional development.
Host President Yoweri Museveni said he fully supports the model of working with the private sector to implement projects aimed at boosting the economy and making life easier for the people.
“We don’t have to waste more time moving in circles. The private sector can help build infrastructure and also develop our medical sector,” he said.