Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 193482,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/193482/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 64,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Finance",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, the operations of this BPO Park will ensure availability of accessible, efficient, reliable and affordable ICT services in Kenya which is expected to create over 10,000 employment opportunities, earn foreign exchange, and move this economy up the value chain. Plans are also underway to initiate a project that will facilitate our youth to venture into software development for local use and exports. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I indicated in my last year's Speech, our involvement in the undersea cable project linking our country with the rest of the world is expected to improve significantly the quality of bandwidth available for global connectivity, reduce the cost of telecommunication and position the BPO Park as an ICT regional service hub. To complete the laying of this cable and make it accessible, I have this year allocated a further Kshs700 million in addition to what Members approved during the Supplementary Estimates. The private sector will provide the rest of the financing to complete the project and this should be done before the end of this calender year. Further, in order to provide universal access, close the digital divide between the rural and urban areas and to open up all parts of the country for commerce and trade, the Government will continue implementing the national fibre optic network in partnership with the private sector. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on deepening the business regulatory reforms for enhanced competitiveness, as hon. Members are aware, Kenya embraces the private sector as the engine of growth and sustainable development. We have, on the structural side, been taking steps to improve the investment climate. To this end, you will recall that the Government, last year, eliminated 315 licences and simplified a further 379 out of the 1,325 licences that had been identified as aq June 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 1143 hinderance to growth of the small businesses. Last year, we received numerous international accolades for our efforts in streamlining the system of licensing and improving regulatory decision- making. The World Bank's doing business indicators report for 2008 ranked Kenya the eighth, among the top ten reformers on a global basis, for improving the regulatory environment for doing business, and second, within Africa."
}