Kenya and Australia Deepen Cooperation to Enhance Trade, Agriculture, and Maritime Security
Kenya also reconfirmed its ambition to raise the relationship with Australia to the level of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
The two principals, during their encounter, acknowledged the profound bilateral relations existing between Kenya and Australia, which have continued to flourish for over 60 years. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Kenya and Australia reaffirmed their historical friendship and resolved to expand cooperation in several fields, with priority given to trade, agriculture, and maritime security. The two nations stressed the need to attract more Australian investments to Kenya and open up access for Kenyan exports to the Australian market, as part of efforts to balance trade between them.
The revived partnership was discussed on Monday in Nairobi when Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, met Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, who is in the country on a two-day official visit.
The two principals, during their encounter, acknowledged the profound bilateral relations existing between Kenya and Australia, which have continued to flourish for over 60 years, founded on shared values and interests. These include trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, mining, environmental conservation, sports, and labour migration.
The two parties also decided to increase collaboration in agriculture with emphasis on seed development, animal breeding, and particularly ranching, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated. They also undertook to expand cooperation in the mining sector, with Kenya set to greatly gain from Australia’s cutting-edge experience in mining technology and practice.
We also committed to continue cooperation in mining where Kenya will reap from Australia’s robust industry. In agriculture, we discussed joint ventures in seed quality and livestock production with special emphasis on ranching.” read part of the statement.
Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi appreciated Australia for its provision of access to education for Kenyan students, most of whom are employed in Australia’s workforce. He welcomed the Australian government to continue tapping into Kenya’s high-quality human resource, citing the country’s large, educated, and young population as an asset for economic cooperation.
“I appreciate Australia for allowing Kenyan students to study and work there. In light of our country’s young and well-trained manpower, I urged the Australian government to continue to harness Kenya’s human capital to boost its thriving economy,” Mudavadi stated.
On maritime security, the two countries agreed on the necessity to secure the Indian Ocean, which is a vital trade route carrying about a third of the world’s container traffic. They emphasized the importance of collaboration to render the ocean safe and sustainable and to enhance investment in the blue economy.
“The Indian Ocean is critical for international trade. We reaffirmed the importance of securing it and harnessing fully the opportunities available in the blue economy to propel sustainable development,” the two leaders noted.
Kenya also reconfirmed its ambition to raise the relationship with Australia to the level of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), reflecting the two nations’ shared desire for greater economic and diplomatic cooperation towards future prosperity.
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