Konza Technopolis and the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) held a closing seminar on Thursday for their Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) for the 2022/23 financial year.
The partnership between the Kenyan technology hub and the South Korean trade agency has focused on driving joint initiatives and knowledge sharing for mutual development.
Speaking during the final reporting session in Nairobi, KOTRA managing director Hyun Eon praised the strong bilateral ties that Kenya and Korea continue to enjoy. He went on to say that he was satisfied with the significant success of the EIPP projects.
“Our intention is to deepen our cooperation through promoting of Public-Private Partnerships so that the Korean business communities can also get involved during the development of Konza Technopolis, he said.
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The first phase of the EIPP projects established critical foundations for the development of Konza Technopolis. Key initiatives included formulating a Smart City Master Plan, conducting a feasibility study for an integrated control center with a focus on security operations, and establishing an Intelligent Transportation System.
According to Konza CEO John Okwiri, local startups and investors will now have opportunities to participate in the technopolis development plan. He added that the newly planned Smart Transportation Corridor connecting Nairobi and Konza City will improve connectivity and boost trade between Nairobi and surrounding regions.
The EIPP is a three-year grant program from the Korean government aimed at fostering mutually beneficial relationships between partner countries. The 2022-2023 Kenya-Korea EIPP was jointly executed by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.
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The investment has been divided into three categories that is the construction sector, basic equipment and management and monetary systems.
The Kenyan government has also proposed a KES 5.7 billion for the construction of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technologies at the Konza Technopolis.
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