Turkish leader to hold talks with Kibaki

By Ramadhan Rajan

Turkish President Abdullah Gul is expected in Nairobi today.

President Gul will be making his first bilateral trip to sub-Saharan Africa, accompanied by more than 100 businessmen.

Announcing the visit yesterday at the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi, Ambassador Levent Sahin Kaya said the visit is expected to boost economic co-operation.

"It is an instrumental trip that will raise investments between the two countries and open more markets," Sahin said.

He said the President would sign several bilateral agreements and Memoranda, including an agreement to abolish visa applications for government officials.

Sahin said the visit would help bridge trade imbalance between Kenya and Turkey.

"The economic and bilateral relations are aimed at a win-win situation for mutual benefit and this is our key agenda," the envoy said.

The visit, he added, would also be used to negotiate a deal to allow Turkish airlines launch four direct flights from Istanbul to Kenya weekly.

President Gul is expected to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and will be received by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka before meeting President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi.

On Saturday, an interdelegate conference will be held at Laico Regency, where trade and investment will be discussed. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will open the conference.