During the recent visit of President Uhuru Kenyatta, to Jamaica Kenya and Jamaica have pledged to deepen bilateral ties. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the signing of four agreements. These included MoUs on technical cooperation in tourism, sports, culture, heritage, political consultations etc.
The two leaders and their delegations also held discussions to introduce air transport connections between Kenya and Jamaica. It was felt that the air connectivitybetween Kenya and the Caribbean would promote economic interaction leading to the economic growth of both countries. Further, air connectivity between East Coast of Africa to Jamaica is expected to boost economic co-operation between Caribbean countries and the African continent.“we would like to see flights flying from the East Coast to the West Coast of Africa and directly to Jamaica, and through Jamaica to the rest of the Caribbean as a true way of deepening our partnership,” President Kenyatta said. He invited Jamaican investors to explore business opportunities in Kenya which has become a hub for logistics, transport, financial services, ICT innovations, etc. The leaders agreed that blue economy held tremendous potential for wealth and job creation. President Kenyattaexpressed Kenya’s commitment to the South-South Cooperation arrangements within the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) states framework. He also assured that Kenya will continue its support for the conclusion of a successor agreement prior to the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in February 2020. It was also announced that the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center which is based at the University of West Indies will open its first satellite centre in Nairobi at the University of Nairobi.
Next ACP summit will be hosted by Kenya host at the end of the year and PM Holness is expected to visit Kenya to participate in the ACP summit.
