Kenya, Mozambique sign 8 trade agreements

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya and Mozambique on Thursday entered into 8 agreements, aimed at strengthening business ties between the two countries.

The signing was witnessed by President William Ruto and his host, Filipe Nyusi.

The cooperation agreements include mutual legal assistance, diplomatic training, public service training, investment promotion, Blue Economy and the mutual recognition of driving licences.

President Ruto said his administration is committed to increasing trade volumes with Mozambique.

He explained that between 2018 and 2022, imports from Mozambique increased from Sh3.2 billion to Sh5.2 billion, while Kenyan exports to Mozambique only increased from Sh1.2 billion to Sh1.4 billion over the same period.

“In this burgeoning win-win relationship, Mozambique has the upper hand in trade balance terms, yet the opportunities before us take the form of a tide that will lift both our boats,” he said, according to a dispatch from State House, Nairobi.

President Ruto committed to the full and speedy implementation of the agreements, for the benefit of the people of the two nations.

“I am of the view that it is imperative for us to take advantage of the momentum generated in these engagements to expeditiously implement all the bilateral instruments that have been signed."

Present were First Lady Rachel Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries Alfred Mutua (Foreign Affairs), Aden Duale (Defence) and Attorney General Justin Muturi among others.