Kenya secures markets for its products and jobs in Jamaica- CS Mutua.
Speaking to the media, Foreign affairs cabinet secretary, Alfred Mutua, outlined that Kenya secures markets for Kenyan products, partnerships, nursing and seafarers jobs.
This comes after he held productive bilateral consultations with the Jamaican Senator honourable Kamina smith and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica Mfaftja.
He stated,”We discussed the Blue Economy, trade and industry, tourism, sports and culture, climate change financing and the boundless job opportunities for Kenyans in the health sector and the cruise ship industry .Deepening diplomatic ties with Jamaica is fundamental to Kenya, especially in opening up pathways for trade and investment within the Caribbean and the neighboring countries,”
“The meeting explored ways to exploit and maximize opportunities that exist between Kenya and Jamaica with a view to expand partnerships bilateral and multilateral levels,” he added.
The CS outlined some of the areas of interest that they discussed;
1.Markets for Kenyan tea and coffee – Jamaica does not grow tea while they grow minimal amount of coffee. This presents an opportunity for these products given Jamaica’s population of close to 3 million people.
2. Tourism Sector – to share knowledge terms of shared knowledge and best practices between Jamaican Maritime University and Kenya’s Bandari College. This will include scholarships, student and faculty exchanges, joint development of curricula, internships, and training.
3. Jobs: We agreed to expand the existing bilateral frameworks to open up opportunities for Kenyan seafarers in Jamaican cruiseships and Kenyan nurses in the health sector in Jamaica
4. Fintech; I had the singular privilege to explain to my counterpart how M-pesa operates and the strides Kenya has made in the financial services sector and the need for further strengthening our collaboration in Fintech.
5. JCC in Nairobi:
In order to implement these action areas, we agreed to co-host the inaugural session of Kenya-Jamaica Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) that will be preceded by a high-level visit to Nairobi, Kenya in October, 2023.
7. MoU between Chambers of Commerce
8. Haiti Crisis: I thanked the Government of Jamaica for taking leadership on regional peace and security, particularly in mitigating the Haiti crisis. I reassured the Jamaican Government of the commitment of the Government of Kenya to support Haiti by lobbying the UNSC to fast-track the legal frameworks for setting up Policing Mechanisms that can take charge and restore order in Haiti. I further assured of Kenya’s readiness to facilitate training of our Haitian brothers and sisters Police force in order for them to have a strong and effective police force.
9.Fair International Financial Systems.
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