“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want speed, go together”

There is a Korean saying that if you want to go fast, then go alone, but if you want to go far, then let us go together,” said Ambassador Ngovi Kitau during a welcoming dinner in honor of MD Seok Hong of Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND) held at the AIN Guest House on July 11, 2019.

She then added, “Doing business in Africa is a long journey and it will be more enjoyable and successful when Korean and Kenyan professionals journey together.”

Among the guests in attendance were Ambassador Balozi Mohamed Gello of Kenya and Managing Director Seok Hong of KIND (Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation) Africa office.

Ties between Kenya and South Korea date back to February 1964 and have been continuously collaborating to open up more trading opportunities. Recently KCCI (Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka had discussions on Korea sending trade delegations to scout for investment opportunities in Kenya.

Bearing in mind that Kenya has excellent transparent governance structures, friendly policy and regulatory environment, and one of the most advanced Public-Private Partnership (PPP) architectures in Continental Africa, it seems Korea is considering positive decisions in expanding its investment starting with housing the KIND Africa Office in Nairobi, which was initiated recently on July 26, 2019.

Excerpts from Former Ambassador Ngovi Kitau of Kenya

Good evening all,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for taking time off your busy schedules to join us this evening for this very special welcome dinner in honor of Mr. Seok Hong-the MD of KIND Africa office, and also to welcome home our Amb. Balozi Mohamed Gello after a very successful tour of duty in the Republic of South Korea. I extend a warm welcome to all. Welcome.

Before we start, I would also like to express and register my special and sincere appreciation to Mr. Hong, and Amb. Gello for making today’s dinner a success.

in addition to welcoming Mr. Hong and Amb. Gello, we will use this occasion to interact and get to know each other better; to discuss business opportunities, and ways in which we can work together for mutual benefit.

There is a Korean saying that if you want to go fast, and then go alone, but if you want to go far, and then let us go together. Doing business in Africa is a long journey and it will be more enjoyable and successful when Korean and Kenyan professionals journey together.

Mr. Hong, these Kenyan professionals who are here tonight to welcome you, are experts in diverse fields and sectors. They are convinced that your initiative will not only enhance the bilateral relations between our two countries, but it will also deliver key success to all stakeholders. Inconsequence, they would, like to be part of that journey and success.

I will stop there so that we have more time for everyone to say something and to socialize. Thank you so much for listening and let us now welcome Mr. Hong and Amb. Gello to Kenya with a big applause and a toast.