Kenya's President William Ruto has expressed his determination to leverage the strong bilateral relationship between Kenya and Iran to enhance trade and expand economic opportunities.
Ruto highlighted the existing low trade volumes between the two nations but emphasized the immense potential for growth during a press briefing held at the State House on Wednesday.
The President's remarks followed his productive discussions with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, who was on an official visit to Kenya.
President Ruto articulated his vision for a trade formula that would facilitate increased exports of tea, coffee, and meat to Iran.
He emphasized the need for a balanced trade relationship, stating, "This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favour of Iran."
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The president also acknowledged the significant role that Iran's technology and innovation can play in Kenya's development.
He lauded the establishment of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi, which will serve as a platform for mutual business collaboration between Iranian and Kenyan enterprises.
"This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills, and information," he added.
Recognizing the strategic advantages of their geographical locations, Ruto emphasized that Kenya and Iran can serve as key entry points into their respective regions. He expressed his commitment to capitalizing on this unique advantage for the prosperity of both nations, stating, "We will seek to capitalize on this unique advantage for our prosperity."
The fruitful interactions between Kenya and Iran have resulted in the signing of over 22 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in various sectors, including development, education, scholarships, infrastructure, health, water, fisheries, and agriculture.
During the recent meeting between President Ruto and President Raisi, several new MoUs and agreements were signed, particularly in the areas of agriculture, livestock, culture and heritage, information, ICT, fisheries, housing, urban and metropolitan development.
President Ruto commended Iran's support in the health sector, highlighting its critical role in realizing Kenya's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Furthermore, President Raisi praised Kenya's commitment to providing a friendly business environment for foreign enterprises.
He announced that more Iranian firms would establish operations in Kenya, granting them access to the East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) markets, comprising a population of over 1.4 billion people.
In his closing statement, President Raisi expressed optimism about further strengthening the Kenya-Iran relationship, emphasizing the mutual benefits it holds. "The Kenya-Iran relations can always be strengthened for our benefit," he affirmed during the media briefing.
With a focus on expanding trade, fostering technological innovation, and promoting cross-sector collaborations, the renewed commitment between Kenya and Iran is poised to unlock immense economic potential for both nations, setting the stage for a prosperous future.
