Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said that Kenyan diaspora continues to grow, owing to a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018 between the two countries.
“These Kenyans make a significant contribution to our country’s development through diaspora remittances and knowledge transfer, while also bridging the demand for labour in the UAE and Middle East,” said Mudavadi.
He affirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the UAE towards a future defined by shared goals and deeper cooperation for the prosperity of the people of the two countries.
He was speaking during the 53rd national day celebrations of the UAE held in Nairobi.
Mudavadi, also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, said bilateral relations between the two countries are underpinned by strong trade and investment cooperation.
The UAE, he said, is ranked sixth among Kenya’s trading partners, a testament to the growing trade ties between our two nations.
” The value of trade between the two countries increased from Sh142.5 billion in 2013 to Sh460 billion in 2023. Kenya’s exports include tea, goat and sheep meat, fruits, vegetables and cut flowers, while imports include petroleum products, polymers and telecommunications equipment,” said the CS.
He affirmed that Kenya is committed to deepening this engagement by prioritizing the UAE as a key export market for Kenyan products.
The CS said the strategic location as a gateway to Eastern and Central African region positions Kenya as a trade hub with access to larger markets, including the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
These frameworks open doors to an African market of over 1.4 billion people.
He lauded the ongoing negotiations for the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAEK-CEPA).
When finalized, he said the agreement is expected to enhance trade, investment and economic activities, especially in priority sectors anchored on the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
” As we deepen these negotiations, we appreciate plans for the resumption of Etihad Airways flights later this year,” he noted.
Mudavadi said that the UAE celebrations coincide with Kenya’s 60 years of diplomatic journey, noting that the two established diplomatic relations in June 1982.
” Since then, the relationship has blossomed into a vibrant and mutually beneficial political, economic and social partnership. Together, we have signed numerous agreements and cooperation frameworks that have fostered stronger economic and commercial ties, reinforcing our shared commitment to progress and development,” he explained.
He also reiterated President William Ruto steadfast advocation for a just-energy transition to address the pressing challenges of climate change.
“We commend the UAE’s leadership in this area, including hosting the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi and its collaboration with Kenya during the launch of the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi last year,” the CS noted.
He said UAE’s commitment to sustainability aligns with Kenya’s ambitions to foster green investments, as reflected in the productive engagements during the recent investor roadshow in the UAE in October 2024, which included discussions with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.
He also lauded the contribution of private sector stakeholders in advancing the economic ties between the two countries.
He cited the recent trade mission to Kenya organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, saying it underscored the growing interest among businesses from both nations in exploring new opportunities.
” Such engagements are instrumental in identifying innovative areas for collaboration to foster mutual growth and prosperity,” he insisted.
By Citizen Reporter