Malawi and Kenya to Strengthen Trade Ties

Kenya's President Kibaki accompanied by top Business Community leaders and Government Officials has concluded a three-day official visit in Malawi between 16th and 17th January 2013 where He discussed trade and bilateral ties with Malawi leader H.E. Hon. Joyce Banda. The President of Kenya was accompanied by several Ministers including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the private sector business leaders who included Mr. Patrick Obath MBS, Chairman, KEPSA, Mr. Mbugua, Chairman, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Richard Muteti HSC, Director, KEPSA who is also the CEO of the MSE Federation in Kenya. During the visit, Malawi and Kenyan governments agreed to strengthen their trade ties. The agreement was made at a business forum they jointly held in Lilongwe after realizing that their trade volumes are low despite being in a relationship for about 50 years. On his part, The minister of foreign affairs in Kenya Prof. Hon Sam Ongeri urged the business people from the two countries to strike deals aimed at increasing both trade investment and trade inflows in both countries Presidents Banda and Kibaki also discussed the reopening of Malawi High Commission office in Nairobi which was closed 10 years ago. President Kibaki is a third African leader to visit Malawi after Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan and Benin President Yayi Boni. The meeting noted that Kenya has a vibrant and fast growing private sector and therefore Kenya promised to share best practices and standards of recently implemented reforms in the East African nation.