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{
    "id": 576049,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/576049/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 187,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Shaban",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 139,
        "legal_name": "Naomi Namsi Shaban",
        "slug": "naomi-shaban"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I also rise to add my voice in congratulating the framers of this Bill more so, the Government, for bringing this Bill at this time when we really need to streamline certain issues which affect our economic zones. In the first mid-term plan of Vision 2030, the special economic zones were given a major portion of realising that our country is well-developed by the time we get to the year 2030. Unfortunately, the special economic zones have not been able to move along in the first mid- term plan and in the second one, and as we are moving on, this goal has not been realised. We know that we have an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Athi River and a private EPZ in Nairobi at Sameer Industrial Park. Those have been the two examples that have been going on for many years and yet, we have not been able to move on towards the direction of making sure that the special economic zones are developed and become a reality all over the country. Several areas have been earmarked and land sought so that these special economic zones can be developed for us to realise the full meaning of Vision 2030 and spur development in our country. For example, look at what is happening in Taita Taveta and Voi where one of the areas earmarked for special economic zones is in Voi. It has been next to impossible for that land to be put aside for this to be realised simply because the Authority of the special economic zones has not been in place and hence the functions of the Authority cannot be implemented. This Bill now seeks to put in place that Authority which is going to make sure that these special economic zones become a reality. One of the issues that the Authority is going handle is to make sure that people who do business within the special economic zones follow all the laid down rules including where they are exempted and where they are not, they meet the requirements of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The only body which will be able to make sure that all this is done within the specified laws is the Authority which is going to be put in place once this Bill has been assented to, to become law in our country. This Bill also refers to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) which formulates and regulates international trade. Because we are a signatory to the UN and are a member state who are a signatory to the United Nations (UN) protocols, this Bill will make sure that we realise the full meaning of what is set out in the UNCITRAL. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}