Marketers urged to sell Kenya abroad

NAIROBI, Nov. 24 (Chinese media) -- The Kenyan government has challenged

professionals in marketing to take a lead in promoting Kenya as an ideal

investment and tourist destination.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said marketing expertise should be fully

utilized to supplement efforts by the government and other stakeholders in

building a unique Kenyan brand.

"Marketers' proficiency and skills should come in handy to supplement

efforts by the government and other stake holders to build an irresistible

Kenyan brand," he said in a press release received here on Monday.

Musyoka added that the government had already formed the Brand Kenya Board,

a state corporation mandated to raise Kenya's profile at both domestic and

international level.

"Brand Kenya Board is to formulate policies that promote Kenya's national

and foreign interests and also market Kenya as the land of opportunities," he

said.

Musyoka said Kenya has unique attractions that include rich culture, flora

and fauna as well as attractive sceneries that need to be aggressively marketed

to gain a competitive edge internationally.

He added that Kenya was strategically placed making it a preferred gateway

to the East African region which has a huge market characterized by large

population.

The vice president also pointed out that Nairobi was also increasingly

becoming the regional hub for industries, financial center, transit point and

ICT area among other quality services provisions.

Speaking while presiding over the annual award ceremony for the Chartered

Institute of Marketing (CIM), Musyoka commended the institute for promoting the

interests of marketers by raising standards of professionalism.

He said Kenya required highly qualified marketing personnel as it pursues

the implementation of Vision 2030.

CIM Chairman James Ngomeli said the institute seeks to raise marketing

standards and research and added that they were ready to work closely with the

government to explore areas in which the institute can contribute in pursuit of

the vision.