Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, September 13 revealed details of the bilateral talks with Colombia’s Vice President Francia Elena Marquez Mina.
The deputy president in a statement stated that Kenya’s bilateral relations with Colombia has been enhanced by the signing of the first Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
“Our bilateral relations with Colombia have received a major boost with the signing of the First Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), in Bogota, Tuesday evening,” the statement reads in part.
Moreover, DP Gachagua noted that Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua and Colombia’s Vice Minister for External Relations Francisco Coy, signed the agreeements after the successful inaugural JCC meeting.
Likewise, Gachagua revealed that signing of the JCC has opened collaborations between the two countries in several sectors including Agriculture, Gender, Education, Science and Technology, Culture, Transport, Health, Environmental Conservation, and Trade and Investment.
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“The signing of the Cooperation has opened a new path of deepening our Collaboration in various sectors including Agriculture, Gender, Education, Science and Technology, Culture, Transport, Health, Environmental Conservation, Trade and Investment, among others,” the DP wrote.
Furthermore, he stated that they discussed ways of enhancing ties through flights between Kenya and Colombia to increase interaction and improve movement of goods and services.
He also noted that they have opened discussions on ending visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders.
As such, the deputy president while thanking Colombia’s vice president and the Joint Commission Cooperation also affirmed Kenya’s commitment to working closely with Colombia to ensure full implementation of the outcome.
Gachagua on bolstering Kenya, Colombia ties
Moreover, the DP stated that Kenya and Colombia have a lot to learn from each other, noting that with stronger ties, the two countries will open opportunities for trade, education, and cultural exchanges.
He noted that the high-level Kenya-Colombia Business Forum at the Chamber of Commerce Office in Bogota talked of the many investment opportunities in Kenya.
“Kenya is an anchor state for Eastern Africa; it is also among the strongest economies on the Continent. As we seek Public-Private Partnerships, investors from Colombia both Nations will mutually benefit,” he stated.
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Boosting Coffee Earnings for Kenyan Farmers
DP Rigathi Gachagua flew out of the country on September 10 to attend the Global Coffee Producers and Roasters Forum in Bogota, Colombia.
In the statement on Monday, September 11, the second in command noted that his visit to Colombia is in line with efforts to boost earnings from coffee farming in Kenya.
“Our resolve to revive the coffee sub-sector remains firm. This visit to Colombia will enhance the efforts to make the sub-sector profitable to the farmer as was years before,” Gachagua stated
In addition, he stated that Kenya will be looking to strengthen bilateral relations with the South American country during his visit.
