Kisumu is currently hosting the Lake Basin Expo and Investment Summit (LBEIS 2017). The investment summit, which is scheduled to conclude on February 16.

The expo is targeting small and medium businesses from 12 counties in Western and Nyanza regions.

“We have moved a step further in our quest to awaken the economic potential of the lake region. We are now bringing in local and international investors and linking them up with local businesses,” said Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) National Vice Chairman Laban Onditi.

More than 3,000 local and international investors from the US, UK, Australia, Turkey, South Africa and India, among other countries, are expected to take part in the forum.

“LBEIS 2017 is also acting as a networking forum between potential investors from abroad scouting for business opportunities and local outfits looking to expand their businesses with a keen focus on opportunities in Agribusiness, Tourism, Construction & Infrastructure, ICT, Security, Mining, Manufacturing, Fishing and how to deal with surplus production among other sectors,” says the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a statement.

The expo has been organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with  Aremant Group and and the Kenya Vision 2030 Secretariat. Aremant Group and its partners have set aside $2 million (Sh206 million) towards making the investment expo a success.

“In our quest to unlock the region’s Sh. 200 billion potential, we have brought in local and international investors for one-on-one consultations with local business people. This approach is very effective in addressing business and investment challenges in regional economic blocs,” said Mr Onditi.