Kenya Diplomat to Malaysia Francis Ndegwa meets with Malaysian businessmen
Diplomat Times (Kuala Lumpur)- In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya is a key trading partner of Malaysia as and there is significant potential for the two countries to expand bilateral trade and investments.
There are immense opportunities for both countries in agro-processing value addition, manufacturing, ICT, tourism as well as cooperation in the field of sports. Kenya is renowned for producing world-class runners.
Kenya’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Francis Ndegwa Muhoro said the country is one of the best investment destinations globally being an economic, commercial and logistical hub in Eastern and Central Africa Region.
Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur established diplomatic relations in 1965. Kenya established its resident mission in 1996, while Malaysia established its resident High Commission in Nairobi in 2005.
Speaking on bilateral trade between Kenya and Malaysia, the High Commissioner said the growth was very positive as it increased by 81 per cent in 2021.
In pursuit of the economic pillar of Kenya’s Foreign Policy, the High Commission has been facilitating linkages between potential investors in Malaysia and key industry players in Kenya.
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Speaking on bilateral trade between Kenya and Malaysia, Muhoro said both countries are pursuing a reinvigorated engagement in many areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening the bilateral and trade relations of the two sister nations.
“There are an increased number of Malaysian companies and businessmen who have expressed immense interest in setting up businesses in Kenya. Kenya is looking to diversify its market base for its export.
“For instance, in 2021 Kenya was ranked Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner in Africa. The growth was very positive as it increased by 81 per cent in 2021.”
Muhoro said in August this last year, a team from Malaysia visited Kenya to carry out a pest risk analysis on avocados.
We are also working on bringing Kenyan livestock and meat products to Malaysia. Talks on this are at an advanced stage as part of our trade facilitation efforts.
Muhoro said there are also ongoing investment proposals between Kenya and Malaysia, among others in the areas of health, renewable energy, fertilizer and agrochemicals, telecommunication and fiber optic.
Muhoro also pointed out that Kenya and Malaysia have a high potential to enhance cooperation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), renewable energy, blue economy and environmental protection.
“Therefore, I urge the Malaysian business community to take advantage of the investment-friendly government policies, inexpensive but educated labour force, well-developed infrastructure and emerging high technology and digital platforms.”
It is worth mentioning that there will be an outbound Kenya-Malaysia Trade Mission in Nairobi starting from the 13th – 17th March 2023.
He also stressed that Kenya enjoys political stability and a favorable investment environment which is supported by the Constitution which protects private property and provides safeguards against the expropriation of such property without compensation.
