Governor H.E Jonathan Bii on Thursday disclosed that deliberations are ongoing for the planned establishment of the County’s aggregation and Industrial Park urging cooperatives societies to take an active role in aggregating all raw materials required for value addition processes.

While joining President H.E William Samoei Ruto, Trade Cabinet Secretary Hon. Moses Kuria, Council of Governors Chairperson Hon. Anne Waiguru and his colleague governors in making a tour to Tatu City which is the first mixed used special economic zone, Bii said the County’s industrial park is the ambitious project in line with Trade pillar in his Nguzo Kumi noting that he will actualize the dream of industrializing the County by engaging with investors who are keen to start the processes.

Bii called on all potential investors to join in and take their space in the Royal County guaranteeing them of the already established conducive environment backed with great incentives.

Consequently, the County Government officials from the Departments of Trade, Lands and Roads and the team from the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) held a joint meeting at the County Headquarters to discuss the modalities of the gazettement and setting up of an Export Processing Zone(EPZ) in Cherunya, Langas ward, Kapseret Sub-County.

Leading the County team, County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Physical Planning Anthony Sitienei said the project is crucial to the county assuring the agency that the administration will do everything possible to fast-track all the requirements to see the project kick-off as soon as possible.

Uasin Gishu is keen on establishing an EPZ to attract export – oriented investors keen on value addition in the agriculture rich County.

The EPZ Act requires relevant officers from EPZA to conduct a site visit to assess viability of a proposed gazettement of an area in terms of physical features such as location, land ownership and availability, planned infrastructure and customs requirements.

According to EPZA representative Moses Kipkebut, already 123 acres of land from the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC), a national agency has been identified for the setting up of various industrial parks among them, garment making industrial park expected to begin soon.

EPZA help in facilitating export-oriented investment to the EAC. The park will be a customs territory as required by the East Africa Customs Act and regulations.