Kenya welcomes Japanese car maker's expansion plan

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has welcomed Japanese car maker Toyota's plan to set up its regional headquarters in Kenya, noting that it would boost trade ties with Japan, a statement from his office said Friday.

President Kibaki, who met executives from the Japanese car maker in his office, praised the company for identifying Kenya as the centre for its quest to deepen its investment and trading ties in the Eastern Africa region.

He said the setting up of the car maker's assembly plant in Kenya would facilitate transfer of technology, and noted that such expanded relations would further serve as an impetus for attracting foreign direct investments into the country.

President Kibaki also welcomed the company's intention of expanding its core business by opening new branches in Westlands, Thika and Karen.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mr. Jun Karube, briefed President Kibaki on the activities of the company which, he said, operated in the six continents in a global network covering over 60 countries.

The company plans to establish a regional headquarters to run a central vehicle logistics and parts distribution, as well have an expanded local assembly facility to cover 13 East African and Horn of Africa countries.
-0- PANA AO/SEG 13April2012