Qatari leader begins state visit to Kenya

The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani arrived in Kenya on Tuesday for a State visit that will see him ink bilateral agreements to enhance ties between the two countries.

Al-Thani and his host President Uhuru Kenyatta are holding bilateral talks aimed at bolstering cooperation between Kenya and Qatar.

The State visit by the Emir of Qatar provides an opportunity to strengthen the good relations existing between the two countries.

Kenya and Qatar established diplomatic relations on December 2003. Kenya opened an embassy in Doha, Qatar in 2010. Similarly, Qatar opened her resident embassy in Nairobi in April 2012.

The east African nation has signed several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in various fields of cooperation with Qatar.

During Tuesday's state visit to Kenya by the Emir of Qatar, several MoUs and agreements are expected to be signed and several others will be discussed.

The agreements to be signed are on Basic Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research as well as the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.

"The State visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the good relations existing between Kenya and Qatar," State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said on Sunday.

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.

Qatar's economic growth also offers hotel and restaurant businesses and employment opportunities for Kenyan youth. Endit