Kenya’s envoy to Pakistan, Ambassador Prof Julius Bitok [Photo/northriftnews.com]
Kenya is considering a free trade agreement for specific products with Pakistan to boost volumes.
This is according to Kenya’s High Commissioner to Pakisan, Professor Julius Bitok.
The commissioner said that proposals made regarding bilateral trade between the two countries were aimed at introducing trade agreements for specific products that are largely traded by the two countries.
“This matter is expected to be discussed during the scheduled Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in October 2017 alongside other MoUs,” he said.
He added that the deal is aimed at attracting Pakistani businesses to put up manufacturing plants in Kenya to process raw materials among them tea, coffee, skins and hides.
“Pakistani businesses have heavily invested in the auto and pharmaceutical industries in Kenya as well as in the textile industry. With Nairobi becoming a hub and gateway to East and Central Africa region, more Pakistanis have shown heightened interest in investing in Kenya,” he said as quoted by the Nation.
Mr Bitok said Kenya had also seen an increase in exported hides and skins, fruits, vegetables and flowers while Pakistan largely exported edible oils, rice, farm machinery, human drugs, medical equipment, sports goods, textiles, furniture and wheat.
Nairobi has confirmed participation in the upcoming exhibition titled Expo in Karachi later in the year with exchange fair also planned in Nairobi.