Kenya to open more embassies in Africa
Updated Wednesday, June 5th 2013 at 21:38 GMT +3
By GEOFFREY MOSOKU
Kenya: Kenya is planning to open several missions in
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Africa as
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rchbutton=SEARCH> President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration seeks to
strengthen ties in the continent.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Amina Mohamed said President Uhuru is committed to
promote
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African agenda at national and global levels. She added his intention is to
make
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Africa the cornerstone of Kenya's bilateral and multilateral foreign policy.
"Kenya will soon be opening several missions and consulates in those
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African regions that we are unrepresented to enhance our engagement in
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Africa," Amina said. She, however, did not indicate which countries will be
prioritised. The Cabinet secretary was speaking on Tuesday evening when she
held discussions with
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African ambassadors and High Commissioners in Nairobi.
She said the focal point of cooperation between Kenya and
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African countries will be based on trade.
She hinted that Nairobi was shifting its focus from traditional western and
far East trade partners. "Trade and investment are key for the growth and
development of countries like ours. Currently, the balance of trade remains
heavily in favour of non-
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African trade partners, yet the pattern globally is in sharp contrast to
this arrangement."
For instance, the Foreign Secretary said over 90 per cent of European trade
is with Europe, Canada is the United States largest trading partner while
China's largest trade is with ASEAN countries. "As
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African countries, we too need to realign our trading outlook and work to
improve our negotiating capacities in trade relations with global partners."
Amina told the envoys that several agreements on joint commissions of
cooperation remain pending, and that the schedule for holding a number of
commissions as well as implementation of agreed frameworks was disrupted by
the just-concluded electoral process.
"These will now be prioritised and expedited as will all outstanding high
level bilateral visits."
The country's top diplomat added that longterm development policy, Vision
2030, is premised on co-operation on projects.
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Received on Wed Jun 05 2013 - 17:18:11 EDT