Investors licensed to operate special economic zones (SEZ) will have their licences revoked if they fail to develop the entities within six months.

Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya (pictured) said some investors have been licensed for more than a year, but they are yet to utilise the spaces for the intended purpose. Speaking during a ground-breaking ceremony for Phase 5 of Nairobi Gate Industrial Park in Ruiru, Kiambu County, the CS said those who fail to comply with the ultimatum will lose their licenses at the expiry of six months.

“The government is committed to upholding the integrity of the special economic zones initiative by ensuring that all gazetted SEZs are fully operationalized. Those who will not have moved to the site in six months will forfeit the licenses,” said Mvurya.

“Some SEZ operators have been acting like brokers – displaying characteristics of incapacity to develop. Going forward, we must ensure that only serious people will be facilitated to take up the available spaces,” he added.

New industrial park

Noting that the country has 38 SEZs both public and private, Mvurya commended private investors at the new industrial park who have injected Sh6 billion at the site and created over 700 direct jobs. He also disclosed that the government is in the process of amending the law to address concerns raised by business people on taxation and the cost of energy and fuel with a view to resolving the issues.

The Industrial Park enjoys a fully integrated customs control area with its strategic location along Eastern Bypass providing easy access to key arterial roads and ‘Up-Country’ Kenya via Thika Road and the Southern Bypass.

It is designed for ultra-modern logistics, light-industrial warehousing and distribution centres, bringing a unique ‘build to suit’ concept to Nairobi.