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{
    "id": 78500,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/78500/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 226,
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    "content": "world, and what we should do to strengthen our position. As you may know, Kenya is ranked at 106 out of 139 countries surveyed. I do not agree with such a low ranking for Kenya. Methodically, the data base may not be completely perfect, but that is what business people see, and what they see determines their investment. We should accept it as a benchmarking tool and make best use of it. Mr. Speaker, Sir, you will be pleased to know that Kenya is internationally competitive in several key areas. Kenya has a fairly sophisticated financial sector services, and efficient labour market with a well educated workforce. In fact, in financial market development, Kenya ranks above China and is nearly at par with India and South Africa. Kenya is above India and South Africa, and at par with China, in labour market efficiency. In higher education and training, Kenya is nearly at par with India and close to China and South Africa. Clearly, the policies we have been pursuing in these areas are paying off. Let us continue in this direction and strengthen even further. As we know, Kenya is seen to be rich in the quality of Government institutions and infrastructure. More than one out of five business leaders say that corruption is the most problematic factor in doing business in Kenya. The quality of our health and primary education also scores poorly. Importantly, our micro-economic environment is ranked very poorly, even in comparison to South Africa and the sub-Saharan African average. This diagnosis is broadly in line with the Government’s own analysis and, indeed, we have begun to address the weaknesses identified. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have been implementing the most ambitious Infrastructure Investment Programme in our country’s history. We have already made remarkable progress in building roads, and more are coming. We are also making significant progress in expanding our power generation capacity. Last week, the Government successfully hosted an Infrastructure Conference under the theme “Transformative and Effective Infrastructure”. We have embarked on several reforms, which are critical to addressing the general status of our macro-economic environment. A number of Bills are awaiting this House’s action. Once enacted, those legislations will have significant positive impact on business environment, tax administration, licensing and implementation of special economic zones. Most important, however, is the full and speedy implementation of the new Constitution. The new Constitution provides the foundation for ensuring political and economic stability, as well as effective and sound management of our economy."
}