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Emir of Qatar, Saudi Prince due in Kenya to strengthen ties

Xinhua, April 9, 2017 Adjust font size:

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and the Emir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani are due in Kenya next week as part of efforts to strengthen the good relations existing between the three countries, a government official said on Sunday.

Kenya's State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said Al-Thani and Prince Abdulaziz are expected in Nairobi on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

Esipisu said several MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed and discussed during the official visit of Al-Thani on Tuesday.

"The agreements that will be signed will include the agreement on education, higher education and scientific research as well as the agreement on cultural cooperation," Esipisu told journalists in Kenya's lakeside city of Kisumu.

He said the Emir will be accompanied by a strong delegation of business leaders.

Relations between the two countries has continued to grow in the last decade.

"The State visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the good relations existing between Kenya and Qatar. We expect that they will strike deals with their Kenyan counterparts at a business forum scheduled for Monday," Esipisu said.

The booming economic growth in Qatar provides numerous business and investment opportunities for Kenyans including engineering and construction, subcontracting and supply of food products (Qatar is a net importer of both fresh and processed foods).

The economic growth also offers hotel and restaurant businesses and employment of Kenyan youth.

He said Saudi Arabia's Minister for Commerce and Investment, Dr Majed bin Abdullahi Al-Kassabi will also lead a delegation of 80 investors and entrepreneurs to Kenya.

"The investors have interests in agriculture, energy, construction, transport, healthcare among others," said Esipisu.

On Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta will also host Prince Abdulaziz where a number of issues of mutual interest to both countries will be discussed.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are two of the world's largest exporters of petroleum products and have strong economies.

"The investors have interests in agriculture, energy, construction, transport, healthcare among others." Esipisu said.

He added that Kenya and Saudi Arabia have signed a general agreement on cooperation which touches on economic, trade and investment.

Kenyan exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 amounted to 55.5 million U.S. dollars while imports from Saudi Arabia amounted to 553.1 million dollars. Enditem