Kenya and China have signed 6 bilateral agreements that will facilitate trade between the 2 nations key among the export of avocado to the lucrative Asian economic giant.
During the signing in Mombasa, the China Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi also announced that it would give Kenya a Sh51 billion grant. He did not state how the grant will be used.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Rachael Omamo said tea and avocado farmers were the biggest beneficiary as they would not be allowed to export their produce to China.
Addressing the press after the signing of 6 agreements, Omamo termed the move as a testimony of commitment of the 2 nations to foster bilateral relations to benefit the citizens.
“We also signed an MOU on the establishment of a working group that will look into issues of tariff and non-tariff barriers to fast track increase in exports from Kenya to China,” she said.
Other than tea and avocado the trade agreements will also facilitate the export of aquatic products like fish from Kenya to China.
Wang Yi said his country was planning to help countries in the horn of Africa to have infrastructure and other developments as one way bringing peace in the region.
Kenyan CSs who signed the MOUs were CS Agriculture Peter Munya, CS Treasury Ukur Yatani, CS ICT and Youth Affairs Joe Muchero and CS Trade and Industrialization Betty Maina.
Wangi Yi said China would continue to help countries in the Horn of Africa to put up infrastructure that would open up the region for trade and investment. He said this will create employment.
Wangi Yi said his country will also appoint an envoy in the region to help in stimulating the development in the area in order bring peace among the communities living in the region.
Omamo who was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said China had promised to donate 10 million more vaccine to help in combating Covid-19 pandemic
“As you may know China was one of the first countries to come to our aid in our quest to manage the pandemic. We take this opportunity to again appreciate China’s unwavering support in the fight against the pandemic which came in form of donation of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and medical supplies and equipment,” said Omamo.
