Kenya seeks pledge support for Blue Economy conference
The event is set to attract over 6,000 local, regional and international participants.
According to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau, the country needs about Sh800 million for the conference that is set to attract over 6,000 local, regional and international participants.
Mr Kamau said Canada has already sent Sh200 million to support the three-day event.
“We are also seeking support in kind and have seen a huge interest in this among them UNEP, UNDP as well as the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce which has pledged to hold forums during the conference on opportunities in the Blue Economy,” Kamau stated.
Revenue
The activities of the Blue Economy include harvesting of living resources such as sea food and marine biotechnology, extraction of non-living resources (seabed mining), and generation of new resources (energy and fresh water).
“The Blue Economy is underrated and can be a huge earner of revenue and job creation," Mr Kamau said.
Kenya’s Blue Economy is estimated to be contributing about Sh44 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The PS said deals worth millions were expected to be signed during the conference with Kenya targeting opportunities in the Big Four Agenda.
Kenya is expected to use the blue economy convention to position itself to host the 2020 UN Oceans Conference
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