European Union envoys to Kenya on Friday declared their full support for the ongoing purge against runaway corruption and the crackdown on counterfeit goods in the country.
The Ambassadors who met the President in Nairobi ahead of the launch of a dialogue forum between the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and European Union Business Council said corruption and related economic crimes are a major hindrance to the growth of enterprises and expansion of the investment environment in the country.
Led by the head of delegation of the European Union (EU) to Kenya Stephano Dejak, the 18 envoys expressed their support and encouraged President Kenyatta for the sweeping crackdown on corruption and related economic crimes including proliferation of counterfeit goods in the country.
To demonstrate their commitment in deepening relations between Kenya and the EU, the envoys committed to increase funding for Kenya’s counter-terrorism activities, the Kenya Coast Guard service, value-chain addition in the blue economy and agribusiness programs.
The EU committed to adding more funds to support of AMISOM and other peace keeping initiatives involving Kenya.
The bloc committed to deepen its partnership with the government in the development of skilled labour through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
They said it is through technical and vocational training that the country can build adequate human resource capacity to enable the youth to engage in gainful employment.
On the emerging blue economy sector, the envoys thanked the President for being the African champion and pledged to support Kenya to reap maximum benefits from its vast maritime resources.
The envoys said they will pool their collective experience and utilize it to assist Kenya to accelerate momentum in the development of blue economy sectors such as fisheries and maritime transport for wealth and employment creation.
JK/as/APA