Kibaki tasks diplomats on Kenya recovery

The role of ambassadors and High Commissioners in the country’s economic recovery took centre stage on Monday when President Mwai Kibaki called on them to develop new strategies that will market the country for foreign investment and tourism.

Speaking during the opening of the 15th Biennial conference in South Coast, President Kibaki challenged the ambassadors and High Commissioners to be aggressive in opening up new markets.

“You must devise aggressive strategies to diversify our export base away from reliance on traditional exports by strengthening trade support networks as a means of trade facilitation and enhancing competitiveness.

“As our ambassadors you should not just be seen as representing a country but take keen interest on what is happening in the country and use it to promote our image especially coming from the post election violence,” he said.

President Kibaki said trade and investment should not be the only priority, adding that the country could tap the vibrant services sector to offset the weaknesses in the export-oriented manufacturing sector.

The government, he said, has developed a policy on Public Private Partnerships which will soon be implemented, adding that the role of diplomats was critical in attracting investors to partner with the government in infrastructure development.

“Besides infrastructure development, trade and investment are critical to the growth of the economy and for this you have an important role to play as we expect you to expand access to traditional markets, explore new ones and attract foreign direct investment.

“Infrastructure development is an important component of Vision 2030 and a large part of its financing will come from the private sector,” President Kibaki said.

Citing medical and conference tourism, education, transportation, ICT, banking and finance, the president urged the country representatives abroad to explore new avenues and tools that will enable Kenya to fully leverage her diplomatic potential.

The theme of the one week conference being held at the Leisure Lodge Beach and Golf Resort is leveraging Kenya’s Diplomacy for Enhanced Competitiveness.

He said foreign ministries around the world are actively engaged in a complex process of change and adaptation to an international environment that is volatile and unpredictable.

But the Head of State was quick to add that the ministry had submitted for Cabinet approval a new foreign policy framework that will guide Kenya’s interaction with the rest of the world.

“It is gratifying to note that you are changing with the times and making the necessary adjustments in your operations and it is important that you are aware that management of our foreign relations is critical in our journey towards establishing a politically stable, middle income country,” he said.

The minister for foreign affairs, Mr Moses Wetang'ula said the ministry has cut down on wasteful expenditure noting that the budget set for missions abroad will also be used to open new embassies.

“The ministry has in the last two years undertaken a rationalisation exercise that has seen us do away with excessive and wasteful waste of resources through expenditure on non-core activities such as employment of cooks, drivers and security wardens in our missions abroad.

“The resultant saving from this exercise amounting to Sh847m annually has helped us open new diplomatic missions in Madrid, Seoul, Kuwait, Dublin, Bangkok, Brasilia and Bujumbura without requesting for additional funding,” Mr Wetang'ula said.

The minister appealed to the president to consider using pension funds to acquire or construct embassies premises abroad.

Giving the example of Tanzania which is already using pension funds to start construction of their mission premises in Nairobi, Mr Wetang'ula said the risk element in such a venture was low compared to other investments where pension funds have been directed in the past.

The PS in the foreign ministry, Mr Thuita Mwangi said there was need to change the mindset of foreign service officers by injecting professionalism in areas such as research and technology.