This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
Published on November 6, 2019, by Ralf Heckner, Swiss Ambassador to Kenya.
As a Swiss ambassador to Kenya, I've often been asked to explain the impact of our diplomatic mission in the country. The answer lies in a benchmark that highlights our evolution from aid providers to investors.
Since the Swiss Embassy was established in Nairobi in 1964, our relationship with Kenya has undergone significant changes. In 1969, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched its first project in Kenya, the Kenya Utalii College, to address the need for trained staff in the tourism industry.
However, Kenya has since become self-sufficient in developing its hospitality sector, with dozens of accredited institutions offering tourism training. The country fully took over the operations of Utalii in 2001, and today, it has a thriving tourism industry.
Kenya's progress from requiring external support to becoming self-sufficient is a testament to successful development. Today, the country needs private sector investment for economic growth and jobs, rather than aid.
That's why I'm proud to announce that a high-level trade mission from Switzerland will be visiting Kenya from November 11-13, led by State Secretary of Economy Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch. The mission aims to explore investment opportunities in Kenya, with over 50 Swiss businesses already established in the country.
These businesses provide a range of services, from vocational training to financial services, and have been contributing to Kenya's economy for many years. The recent interest from small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Switzerland in the Kenyan market is a welcome development.
The Swiss trade promotion entity, Switzerland Global Enterprise (SGE), has visited Kenya several times during my tenure and will be part of the trade mission. This visit will be an important moment for us to learn from each other and strengthen our bilateral economic ties.
