Details of 6 Agreements Kenya Has Signed With China

President Uhuru Kenyatta and China's President Xi Jinping During a Past Meeting
President Uhuru Kenyatta and China's President Xi Jinping During a Past Meeting
File

President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration on Thursday, January 6, renewed its pact with China by striking new deals that will see the presence of the Asian country extended.

The new deals were signed during a high-level bilateral forum that was officiated by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Raychelle Omamo, in the presence of China's Foreign affairs Minister, Wang Yi, among other officials.

In the memorandum of understanding (MOU), a total of six deals were signed, among them trade and agriculture. According to the new pact, in agriculture, Kenya will receive a green light to export avocados and fish to China.

ICT CS Joe Mucheru signing a deal with China high level representative in presence of CS Raychelle Omamo on Thursday January 6, 2022
ICT CS Joe Mucheru signing a deal with China high level representative in presence of CS Raychelle Omamo on Thursday January 6, 2022
ICT Ministry

In the Ministry of ICT innovation and Youth Affairs, Kenya entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Commerce of China, that seeks to recognise the digital economy as an important driver of global economic growth.

The agreement will allow both countries to explore areas for investment cooperation in the digital economy aligning with Kenya's vision 2030.

"The Ministry of ICT Innovation and Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China have signed an MOU that recognizes digital economy as an important driver of global economic growth and the potential for bilateral cooperation between Kenya and China," the ICT Ministry, led by CS Joe Mucheru, stated.

The ministry added, "Through the MOU, Kenya and China will explore areas for investment cooperation in the digital economy, in line with Kenya's Vision 2030 and China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development."

In order to promote trade and reduce deficits, the two countries signed an agreement on the establishment of a working group tasked with addressing tariffs and non-tariffs barriers.

Both sides acknowledged the steady rise in bilateral trade and the huge potential to increase the exports market and volume.

“This is an important protocol that will accelerate access to markets of these two products,” Omamo stated.

Collaboration in big data strategy, ICT, cyber and e-government was also featured during the bilateral talks with both countries agreeing to build capacity and technology transfer.

Other sectors that will benefit from the deal are agro-processing, textile, leather processing, footwear, furniture, construction among other sectors.

Kenya has been working hand in hand with China to develop infrastructure and with the recent visit by the Chinese Minister, the stage is set for renewal of other pacts. 

 While receiving the Foreign Affairs Minister on Wednesday, January 5, Omamo described the visit by Wang Yi, who is also a state councilor, as historic. She stated that security, health, climate change, and green technology transfer would be discussed and new bilateral agreements would be signed.

According to the latest report published on Business Daily, the Asian nation controlled major projects valued at over Ksh1 trillion.

“To date we have done so many roads in our inner cities. Over 420 kilometers have been done to ease transport for our people. 

“Our partnership with China is one that is mutually beneficial and is based on a win-win and we are very grateful to the Chinese government for the support that they continue to render not only to our country but also to the rest of the countries in Africa,” Uhuru stated after making a visit to inspect the progress of the ongoing construction of the Nairobi Expressway.

In the latest visit by the Chinese Minister, he is going to accompany President Uhuru to inspect the progress of The Kipevu Oil Terminal located at the Port of Mombasa that is expected to be operational by April 2022.

The project kicked off in February 2019 and is currently 96 per cent complete having four berths that will enable it to accommodate three ships concurrently with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes each.

Kipevu Oil Terminal Located in the Port of Mombasa that is currently under construction
Kipevu Oil Terminal Located in the Port of Mombasa that is currently under construction
PDU