Kenya, Zambia seek to strengthen bilateral relations

NAIROBI: Kenya and Zambia have concluded negotiations that will see the two countries increase volumes of trade between them.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said there are plans to remove trade barriers to ensure specific goods from Zambia access the Kenyan market and vice versa.

Speaking after conclusion of the ninth Joint Permanent Commission of Co-operation (JPCC) in Nairobi over the weekend, Ms Mohamed noted that despite the long relationship between the two countries, the trade remained very low.

“We have had the issues of technical barrier to trade, where some products that would have sold very easily in the Zambian market as well as the Kenyan market have been excluded because of the barriers that we have had. We are not doing too well and that is the reason we are having these meetings,” she said.

MUTUAL RELATION

She said relations between the two countries are set to be strengthened as they would be learning from each other. “Kenya can learn a lot from Zambia in the mining sector while Zambia can borrow a leaf from Kenya in the tourism sector,” she said.

Ms Mohamed said there is going to be a series of programmes that will facilitate exchange and sharing of knowledge as well as experience in various sectors of development. “This will provide an opportunity for both technical experts and senior officials from respective countries to strengthen co-operation in political, socio-economic and cultural sectors,” she added.

Zambia was represented by a delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minster Harry Kalaba at the 9th session of the JPCC held in Nairobi from June 25 to 27. Kalaba, while applauding the bilateral relations, decried obstacles that have led to the dismal trade relations between the two countries.

“Despite the fact that we are both Comesa members, trade relations between our countries have always been rated as very low due to our different technical structures,” he said.

Mohamed announced that President Uhuru Kenyatta will be visiting Zambia next month for further discussions on how to implement some of the agreements.