Aga Khan agency backs growth plan by State

The Aga Khan Development network has praised the Government's new vision for growth and pledged to play a key role in its implementation.

In line with its spirit of cooperation with governments to alleviate poverty, the network said it would assist Kenya in its bid to attain growth targets set in Vision 2030.

The goals in the economic and social blueprint recently launched by the Government, requires the participation of the private sector to succeed, said Aga Khan Development Network's (AKDN's) resident representative Anil Ishani.

Partnership

Speaking at a reception on Monday evening at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Mr Ishani said that the leading international private development agency is ready to play a role in the new initiative.

The reception was graced by Prince Amyn Aga Khan, the personal representative of His Highness the Aga Khan.

Said Mr Ishani: "AKDN in Kenya is willing to assist and be a partner with the Government to promote social and economic development activities for the people of Kenya."

The Nation Media Group board of directors chairman, Mr Hannington Awori, US ambassador Michael Ranneberger, former Attorney General Charles Njonjo, and businessman Chris Kirubi were among those in attendance.

Mr Ishani said AKDN has the capacity to craft and initiate policies which could tap the potential of all Kenyans to spur economic growth.

"The Government's role is significantly to enhance and promote social and economic development, by encouraging and creating an enabling environment for private sector international development agencies like AKDN to become partners in development," he said.

Vision 2030 is a 25-year development plan, which outlines key economic and social interventions to be implemented in phases by the Government and private sector.

The Government expects the targets in the strategic plan to be achieved by the year 2030. "This country is blessed with arable land, scenic beauty, wildlife and has talented manpower. All these resources need to be nurtured to make Kenya a happy and prosperous nation," noted Mr Ishani.

The network, which operates in 33 countries in six regions worldwide with more then 100 years history, has programmes targeting various areas of development.