This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
On November 10, 2019, a delegation of the Swiss business community arrived in Nairobi for a three-day fact-finding mission. The economic delegation, comprising 15 companies, was led by Switzerland State Secretary for Economic Affairs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch.
Ms. Ineichen-Fleisch expressed her enthusiasm about leading the delegation, stating, "It is a good feeling to lead this important business delegation, which underlines the interest of Switzerland private companies in further investing and creating jobs in Kenya. I see my role as a State Secretary for Economic Affairs as a door opener for these companies."
The visit was a follow-up to last year's visit by Switzerland President Alain Berset, who emphasized the need to take economic relations between the two countries to a new level. The delegation's first full day was spent engaging with selected tech start-ups at the Nairobi Garage, followed by meetings with government representatives and a panel discussion with ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru and the Kenya private sector.
Ms. Ineichen-Fleisch noted, "In Switzerland, we know Kenya's tea and coffee and the wonderful safaris. But we hardly know of the vibrant start-up scene in this country. Kenya is very advanced in new technologies, and I can see potential synergies here."
