M a r k e t N e w s
Kenyans call for builders
Posted on : Monday, 31st August 2015
Stakeholders behind a $US25 billion mega project in East Africa will today call on WA companies to bid for work on the Lamu Corridor in Kenya, as they seek to overturn fears about corruption in the country.
Due to speak at today’s East Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Perth, Silvester Kisuku, chief executive of the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority, will highlight opportunities.
Kenya Australia Chamber of Commerce chairman Stephen Kuria said the timing was right for WA companies to switch their attention to the project as construction of local resource projects started to wind down.
“They have the expertise, the capacity and can tap into a very large project,” he said.
Mr Kuria said there had so far been relatively little interest from Australian contractors for the 10-year transport and infrastructure project that is seeking to create Kenya’s second transport corridor, with most interest emerging from Asia.
“There is a lack of knowledge, people (in Australia) don’t understand Africa, and the old stereotypes about corruption still exist,” he said.
To support the region’s fledgling oil sector, the project involves a new port at Lamu, which is already under construction, as well as an oil pipeline from Lamu to South Sudan and a road and railway link to southern Ethiopia.
There are also plans for a new international airport and resort-style cities
Source : THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
