NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 24 – Kenyan agricultural produce and beef will now access the Malaysian market duty-free, thanks to an agreement reached between President William Ruto and visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
President Ruto welcomed the move as a significant step that will open new market opportunities for Kenyan farmers and strengthen the commercial foundation of the Kenya-Malaysia partnership.
“The removal of these tariffs is especially significant given the structure of our current trade, where Kenya’s main exports to Malaysia include tea, coffee, flowers, avocados, and titanium ores, while imports from Malaysia consist primarily of edible oils and fats, chemical products, electronics, agricultural chemicals, and rubber,” he said.
He made the remarks during a press conference with Prime Minister Ibrahim after holding bilateral talks at State House Nairobi on Monday.
Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, and Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports), and Rebecca Miano (Tourism), among other officials.
During the function, President Ruto and PM Ibrahim witnessed the exchange of four signed agreements that will broaden commercial ties between Kenya and Malaysia.
These include a Bilateral Service Air Agreement to expand connectivity and ease travel between the two countries, and a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation.
They also oversaw the exchange of an MoU signed between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia aimed at deepening private sector partnerships, as well as a Letter of Intent twinning Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur cities.
“Together, these instruments mark the beginning of a broader and deeper strategic partnership for mutual benefit,” President Ruto pointed out.
PM Ibrahim commended the President for initiating transformative development projects which place Kenya in the league of developed nations, including the Affordable Housing Programme.
“We have seen under your stewardship the determination to propel not only the economy, but also the infrastructure to ensure Kenya emerges as a great nation,” he said.
He added: “The housing sector is most commendable. I don’t think many countries, including Malaysia, have embarked that fast and effectively on such a programme, and that is because of your passion to provide housing for the poor. We need leaders who have clarity of vision and determination because otherwise, we will be left behind.”
President Ruto said Malaysia’s phenomenal rise from an agricultural economy to one of the vaunted Asian economic giants offers Kenya key lessons in its development journey.
“Today, you stand out because you have diversified your economy and today you export manufactured goods to America and many other destinations. We are walking in the footsteps of Malaysia and we hope to catch up with you,” he said.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen the semi-conductor bilateral
relationship as part of Kenya’s human capital development and industrialisation agenda.
“Through a strategic partnership, Malaysia will support Kenya to grow and expand semi-conductor technology and manufacturing capabilities, including with Nyeri’s Kimathi University, which is already a leader in this field,” he said.
On international matters, the two leaders agreed on the urgent need to reform the architecture of the United Nations to be more inclusive of developing countries.
Both leaders condemned the ongoing atrocities in Sudan and Gaza and called for a speedy resolution of the raging conflicts.
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