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{
    "id": 218003,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/218003/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 53,
    "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, turning to our women, in the same spirit, and in recognition of the immense role played by our women in developing our economy, the Government will establish a Kshs2 billion Women Enterprise Development Fund with an initial injection of Kshs1 billion in 2007/2008. I wish, therefore, to encourage our corporate entities to assist the Government in this noble initiative aimed at empowering our women and youth by contributing towards the two Funds established by the Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would just like to explain to hon. Members that our Kshs1.25 billion contribution will reflect the Government's contribution. We expect some extra donations that we we will factor in and bring them to the House in order to regularise as soon as we sign up the commitment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in terms of further deepening of the tourism sector, reflecting the international confidence accorded to Kenya as a premier tourist destination, the number of tourists has risen from about 1 million in 2002 to 1.6 million last year. As anticipated in the ERS, we expect to hit the 2 million mark this year and the Vision 2030 anticipates this number to increase to, at least, 3 million visitors by 2012. As a result of more visitors, the hotel occupancy rate has also increased sharply. Tourism earnings have also risen almost threefold from Kshs22 billion in 2002 to Kshs56.2 billion in 2006. The strong performance in the tourism sector continues to have a positive knock-on effect on the growth of the air transport sector, hotel industry and other related sectors of the economy. We, therefore, welcome the recent entry of Virgin Atlantic into our market. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to further consolidate the gains and accelerate the sector's growth, more efforts will be directed towards expanding and diversifying tourism and providing the infrastructure and ancillary services to boost the sector into becoming one of the top ten long haul destinations, offering a high-end, diverse, and distinctive visitor experience. To this end, the Government will pay particular attention to improving tourist circuit roads. In this regard and in addition to the increased resources to infrastructures sector, I have allocated Kshs300 million specifically for improving conditions of roads in our national parks and game reserves."
}