Kenya inks deal with Egypt to promote trade, security and culture

Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt on Wednesday to strengthen mutual cooperation in diverse areas like trade, peace and security, culture, education and health.

Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohammed and her Egyptian counterpart Sameh Soukry witnessed the signing of the new agreement to revitalize bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

"We have agreed on a range of issues of common interest to Kenya and Egypt and have signed a memorandum of understanding to operationalize them in future," Mohammed told journalists at the event in Nairobi.

Kenya and Egypt have established cordial bilateral ties dating back to the colonial era.

According to Mohammed, Egypt supported Kenya's struggle for independence and has been a key trade partner for the last five decades.

A joint communique issued at the end of the 6th session of Kenya-Egypt joint commission for cooperation indicate the two countries will promote trade and investments, cultural and educational exchanges.

Likewise, the two countries will strengthen cooperation on security, agriculture and health.

"We resolved to form a business council comprising twenty officials from both countries to coordinate trade and investments. We also reviewed the status of cooperation in the defense sector," Mohammed told reporters.

She added that Kenya will cooperate with Egypt to advance peace and security in the Great Lakes region, Somalia, South Sudan, Libya and Middle East.

Egypt regards Kenya a strategic ally as the North African nation refashions its foreign policy to focus more on Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry said his country will strengthen bilateral cooperation with Kenya to achieve mutual benefits.

"Our diplomatic ties with Kenya have been cordial and fruitful. We have agreed to elevate them to a new level," Shoukry said. Endi