Global Courant
Kenya and Djibouti will push for a visa-free regime to boost trade.
The two countries will also exploit and promote their existing relationship to grow investment.
This was achieved on Sunday when President William Ruto met his counterpart Ismaïl Omar Guelleh at the Palais Présidentiel in Djibouti.
The two leaders agreed to establish the Kenya-Djibouti Business Council which will boost trade between the two countries.
President Ruto said people from Djibouti visiting Kenya do not need a visa.
“This is part of our contribution to facilitating the movement of people, goods and services in Africa,” he added.
He announced that Kenya and Djibouti will also build synergies in tourism and hospitality to increase their revenues.
The head of state noted that development will be bolstered by the resumption of air transport between Nairobi and Djibouti.
President Ruto said strengthening ties between Kenya and Djibouti will also bring stability to the region.
“Making the region stable – especially the Horn of Africa – is our main task,” he explained.
President Guelleh noted that with peace countries can move forward and achieve the expected transformation in Africa.
“We can only develop our world if we are safe,” stressed Djibouti’s president.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has asked leaders to step forward and formulate effective solutions to the unemployment, poverty and inequality facing Africa.
He said it is time for African aspirations to become central to world interests.
“We’re not looking for a favor; we have the resources, practical views and solutions to the climate crisis.”
He said this during his speech to the National Assembly of Djibouti.
The president noted that it is time for the unity of Africa to be deepened and his voice to grow loud and clear.
“That’s why we need to integrate and push for free trade that will create more jobs and incomes.”
He claimed that Africa cannot afford to keep blaming its past for its failures.
“It is a reformed and streamlined African Union that will revitalize our continent.”
He said the operationalization of a pan-African parliament will “further help Africa to meet the challenges of our time”.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kenya.
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