Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, Jacob Zuma identify new areas of collaboration

NAIROBI, KENYA: Trade and industrialisation have been identified as two key sectors among others that can provide employment to the youth of both Kenya and South Africa after the two countries sign a Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC).
The presidents of the two countries –Uhuru Kenyatta and Jacob Zuma- identified these two sectors among others that can be invested in during a meeting on Sunday where they urged their respective Foreign Ministries to fast track the process of signing the JCC to ensure bilateral issues are addressed for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
In a statement from the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed consulted with her South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on the matter.
"We have consulted and agreed to, in coming days, hold a JCC that will seek to promote political, economic and social cooperation between our two countries," said Amb Mohamed.
According to the statement President Uhuru and Zuma resolved to support initiatives that seek to ensure peace prevails in the region and voiced their support for International Committee on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and East Africa Community (EAC) efforts to restore peace in Burundi.

"South Africa supports the initiative by EAC and the resolutions arrived at Dar es Salaam Summit. I am going to Luanda to attend International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) summit on the same subject matter," said President Zuma.
The statement points out that Kenya will also be seeking the indulgence of South African on its immigration laws that have had an adverse impact on Kenyans wishing to travel to South Africa due to stringent visa requirements which deter smooth flow of people and goods.
The statement also pointed out that President Kenyatta lauded the South Africa government on the handling and diffusion of tension following the recent violence directed towards foreign nationals.

"It is an emotive issue that could spiral out of control but the swift action by you and the government to bring the situation to normalcy is appreciated," said Mr Kenyatta.

To further cement the relationship between the two countries the two presidents agreed to exchange state visits and instructed the Ministries of Foreign affairs to organise the same. First such visit will see President Zuma visit Kenya possibly in the course of this year.