A team from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an investment arm of the World Bank, paid a courtesy call to the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Enterprise Development, Cooperatives, Gender, and Youth Affairs, David Erukudi.

The team briefed the new County Trade leadership on the programs being implemented in partnership with the Department of Trade, including, Kakuma Biashara/Huduma Centre.

The meeting comes a day after the Trade CECM and his team visited the Biashara Centre to familiarise themselves with the operations of the Business Development Centre.

The IFC team led by Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund Programme Manager Luba Shara, also discussed the progress made in unlocking the economic potential Kakuma Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area of Turkana County, as well as the impact so far realized from the program.

In his remarks, CECM Erukudi reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to strengthen the existing partnership with IFC promising a close working relationship in the implementation of projects.

He also announced that his office is working on a strategy that would see the center fully operational after its launch early this year.

IFC also supported the development of an investment portal and enactment of a County Investment Promotion Bill to guide the facilitation of private sector investments in Turkana.

The Chief Officer for Trade, Enterprise Development, and Cooperatives, Robert Loyelei assured the IFC delegation about the resumption of Biashara Centre operations.

James Lokwale (Director of Trade), Peter Lolem (Liaison Officer, IFC), and Felix Kariuki (Consultant, IFC) were present in the meeting.