The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted Kenyans an extension of their tourist visas to six months from the current one month.
Speaking to the media, the Foreign Trade Minister in UAE, Than' Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, stated that the move would enhance trade relations and enable more Kenyans to make a mark in the Gulf country.
He added that the new development would take effect at a date to be announced by the UAE government.
"We are looking forward to having more business people exploring and doing business in the UAE markets and taking some of the businesses from the country and back to Kenya," Zeyoudi stated.
His sentiments were echoed by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) president, Richard Ngatia, who urged more Kenyans to penetrate the East African market.
"They are looking at penetrating the East African market as the population keeps growing with the recent addition of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the EAC. Therefore, there was a need for them to establish how they would partner with the private sector," Ngatia stated.
The move comes five months after President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the country on a three-day tour during the Dubai Expo 2020.
During the event, the Head of State assured investors that Kenya is a safe place for investments. Uhuru was accompanied by Dubai's Minister of Tolerance and Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.
The president noted that his government would prioritise investors' demands, in order to solidify the trade relations and remove the barriers that undermined trade.
"It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to join us in celebrating Kenya's richness and our diversity. This shall be showcased throughout this week and tomorrow we shall be showcasing our cultural diversity," Uhuru stated at the time.
