President Uhuru Kenyatta returned to the country on Monday evening after a successful four-day State Visit to Mozambique where the promotion of trade, enhanced bilateral relations and the blue economy formed the key agenda.
During the visitUhuru and his host President Filipe Nyusi witnessed the signing of two broad agreements covering political and economic cooperation and which will be at the centre of closer partnership between Kenya and Mozambique.
In those agreements, the two countries resolved to broaden their cooperation areas of mutual interest including trade, the mining sector, livestock breeding, tourism promotion, agri-business, manufacturing and value addition, and the Blue economy sector.
President Kenyatta used the visit to announce that Kenya will this year open a consulate in Maputo with the aim of elevating it to a full mission during the next financial year.
He also announced the scrapping of visa requirements for Mozambican citizens wishing to visit Kenya and encouraged them to explore investment opportunities in East Africa’s giant economy.
The Head of State further expressed the need for a review of the current Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) between the two countries with a view of elevating it to a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in the near future.
Presidents Kenyatta and Nyusi committed themselves to facilitate the growth of a strong private sector to thrive in both Kenya and the South African Nation.
The president acknowledged that the private sector was a crucial driver to economic growth adding that his administration has taken the necessary steps to streamline rules and procedures to ease business operations , which investors from Mozambique should take advantage of.
During his tour of the port of Maputo, Uhuruwas briefed on its operations and especially on the process of exporting coal-a key area that Kenya has interest in.
Deputy President William Ruto, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’I , Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe and Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet led other senior government officials to welcome the President back home.