The government has promised to waive taxes for Italians wishing to invest in Kenya.

Trade and Industry Assistant minister Omingo Magara said investors will not be charged taxes in the first 10 years to help them recoup their capital inputs.

Speaking during the Kenya Tourism and Culture Week in Milan, Italy Mr Magara urged Italian investors to come to Kenya saying the tax waivers will allow them 100 per cent recovery on capital costs.

He spoke as a special exhibition to market Kenya as the best tourist and investment destination in Italy ended in Milan on Wednesday.

Mr Magara said that the government will also ease the procedure of acquiring licences through a one-stop shop.

He cited construction of villas in Malindi as one of the areas where Italians could invest in. "We invite Italians to built Villas in Malindi," Mr Magara said.

The assistant minister who represented Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta at an economic forum at the sidelines of the tourism fete, regretted that currently, trade imbalance between Kenya and Italy benefited the latter.

He, however, said Kenya was committed to broadening its market base through value addition of its exports.

It is only through investments that Kenya could realise its plans of registering a Gross Domestic Product growth of 10 per cent, Mr Magara, said.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala led a Kenyan delegation to the tourism and cultural fete following invitation by the Mayor of Milan Mme Letizia Moratti.

The mayor said Italy was keen on cooperating with Kenya in areas of tourism and investment through private public sector partnership.

About 20 Kenyan groups, hotels and organisations among them the Kenya Tourist Board participated.