Daily Times

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Ms. Monica Juma was in Islamabad on a historic visit to Pakistan to inaugurate the newly built Kenyan High Commission at the Diplomatic Enclave. She also held meetings with officials of the country. This was her first visit to Pakistan after assuming charge as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya earlier this year.

Ms Juma possesses significant experience of serving at the highest and at the most prestigious positions. During her visit to Pakistan, she met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abassi and with Foreign Secretary Ms Tehmina Janjua to discuss bilateral ties and to take the bilateral relationship forward.

During the meetings, both sides discussed bilateral matters, and regional and international issues of mutual concern. The visiting Foreign Minister also deliberated over measures that could enhance and diversify bilateral trade and improve economic relations. It is important to note here that Prime Minister Abassi met with the President of Kenya on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in the UK earlier this month.

The Kenyan foreign minister’s visit is a significant step in promoting bilateral relations between Kenya and Pakistan. Both states enjoy friendly ties with each other that span several decades and are based on deeply rooted historical ties. While having similar views on different global issues, both states support and cooperate with each other in various fields such as trade, investment, education, counter terrorism, tourism, cultural diplomacy and wildlife.

Officially known as the Republic of Kenya with Nairobi as its capital, the country is one of the leading sovereign states of East Africa, and borders the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia.  The word Kenya, moreover, originates from the name of Mount Kenya and by the ethnic groups that inhabit the agricultural land surrounding the mountain.

Apart from being the forty seventh largest country, Kenya is also known globally for its coffee and tea and for being an ideal destination for tourism. The country is rich in natural resources with immense potential at the regional and global level. The country also recently issued its foreign policy document which highlighted the important aspects of the country’s vision towards the world.

The driving agenda behind Kenya’s foreign policy is to pursue “a peaceful, prosperous and globally competitive Kenya”, while its mission is “to project, promote and protect Kenya’s interests and image globally through innovative diplomacy, and contribute towards a just, peaceful and equitable world”. These foreign policy objectives are based on the desire for a peaceful, united and prosperous Kenya which is also embodied in its National Anthem, in the country’s Constitution and in the ‘Kenya Vision of 2030’ document.

In order to boost economic ties with African countries, the Pakistan Ministry of Commerce approved its ‘Look Africa Plan’ in 2017. Under this policy, the top 10 states from the African region that were selected for enhancing trade relations include Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Kenya’s location in this context is very significant. Kenya is fast turning out to be a hub of economic activity in East Africa, especially after the formation of the East African Community. Its significance will further enhance after the construction of the Luma Port and a railway network linking Nairobi with rest of the region.

Kenya’s location is crucial for Pakistan’s ‘Look Africa Plan’. The country is increasingly emerging as a regional hub of economic activity, especially after the formation of the East African Community organisation

Presently, Pakistan-Kenya trade is dominated by tea and rice. Pakistan is a leading importer of Kenyan tea and more than 80 percent of the rice imported into Kenya is from Pakistan. Pakistan became the largest buyer of Kenyan products in 2017. Consequently, the trade volume between the two states has been steadily increasing.

During the visit of Kenya’s Foreign Minister, the High Commission with support from Ministry of Trade and Commerce Development Authority organised a ‘Pakistan-Kenya Trade and Investment Conference’ in Karachi. It was decided in the conference to establish a trade committee for the promotion of mutual trade which will consequently enhance socio-economic links between the two states. The committee will also take up issues related to tariffs, non-tariffs and exchange of delegations between two states. The conference also provided an opportunity for business-to-business talks between the participants.

The presence of a sizeable Pakistani diaspora in Nairobi is another avenue through which the two states can build a stronger relationship. Moreover, both states are also cooperating in the field of education. More than a 100 Kenyan students are benefitting from Pakistan’s Technical Assistance program scholarships. Kenya has also shown a willingness to increase the number of these scholarships.

Both states also face similar challenges, with Al-Shabaab in Kenya and the Taliban in Pakistan posing huge security threats to the countries’ sovereignty and to tourism. Food security is another big challenge for Kenya; Pakistan can support it in modernising its agriculture through sending experts and by sharing information.

It is therefore the need of the hour that both states join hands in effectively coping with these threats and in boosting their economies. Both sides should sign Free Trade Agreements for liberalising trade while exchanging business delegations will provide more avenues to enhance cooperation between the two states.

The writer is Founder and President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies

Published in Daily Times, May 10^th 2018.