NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 1 – President Mwai Kibaki and his visiting Burundian Counterpart Pierre Nkurunziza at Statehouse Nairobi witnessed the signing of two protocols on Reciprocal promotion and Protection of investments and medical Services between the two Countries.
The Protection of investments Protocol signed by Deputy Prime Minister who is the Minister for Finance Uhuru Kenyatta and his Burundian Counterpart, intends to promote and stimulate the flow of capital and technology between Kenya and Burundi.
Under the Promotion and Protection of Investment protocol, Kenya and Burundi would provide the necessary assistance including granting of work permits to Nationals engaged in activities related to investment.
The investment agreement encourages use of local human and material resources for the promotion of investment and allows the repatriation of profits.
The medical services protocol was signed by the Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula and His Burundian Health Ministry Counterpart and would ensure twinning of public Hospitals in the two countries for purposes of referral of patients, exchange of specialists and sharing of information and protocols on Hospital management.
The Medical services protocol also allows Kenya and Burundi to co-operate in training of medical and paramedical staff and sharing of the best practices in drug procurement, health disaster management, medical research and implementation.
The two agreements which come into force immediately will be implemented within the tax laws, regulations and conventions of each contracting country.
Kenya and Burundi are expected to make formal requests on areas of interest by December 2009.
President Nkurunziza later toured Wavex Weavers in Dagoreti Corner, Nairobi, a project funded by the National Youth Fund. He was conducted on the tour by the Minister for Youth and Sports Prof. Helen Sambili.
The Burundian Leader is in the Country for a three day state visit. President Kibaki will this evening host President Nkurunziza to a state banquet.
The Burundian Leader will visit the coastal city of Mombasa on Thursday.
