19/08/13. The Russian Government has pledged to support Kenya’s efforts towards securing agro-fertilisers in adequate quantities and at affordable cost.
Speaking when he met President Uhuru Kenyatta in Moscow on the sidelines of the 14th IAAF World Championships, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said his Government will assist Kenya to access fertiliser directly from Russian producers without going through middlemen.
Towards this end, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said he looked forward to a visit by Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Felix Koskei, who is expected in Moscow in a week’s time for further discussions. Koskei is expected to meet his Russian counterpart as well as the Russian Association of fertiliser producers.
The commitment from the Russian government was in response to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s appeal for partnership with the Russian government as well as investors in the production of fertiliser when he addressed the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation on Friday.
Mr Kozak further said the Russian Government was ready to increase the number of education scholarships in areas of specific interest to the Government of Kenya.
He hailed the cooperation between the two countries in the area of education observing that over 1,500 Kenyan students have graduated from Russian universities.
On security, Kozak said Russian security agencies will establish contacts with their Kenyan counterparts to support Kenya’s efforts in dealing with terrorism. In response to Kenya’s desire to initiate sports cooperation with the Russian Government, Kozak said he will personally initiate consultations to this end.
“As two sports powerhouses, our two countries can cooperate in a wide range of areas including the development of sports facilities and training,” he said.
He hailed Kenya for her outstanding performance in field and track events saying the ongoing 14th IAAF World Championship had narrowed down to a competition between Kenya, Russia, USA and Jamaica largely relegating other countries to the level of spectators.
China state visit
The President called upon Russian investors to venture into the country, saying there were lucrative investment opportunities in many sectors of the economy especially in agriculture, power generation and transmission, infrastructure development and tourism.
The President arrived in Beijing yesterday for his first state visit to China, which will focus on growing Kenya’s business and investment with the East.
Discussions with Chinese President Xi Jingping and other government officials, as well as the China business community will focus on investments mainly in infrastructure, energy, technology and protecting Kenya’s wildlife.
President Uhuru will also press for greater market access for Kenyan exports.
“We are looking at how we can implement infrastructure projects that will boost inter-connectivity within Kenya and the region. Enabling faster movement of goods and services on our continent is a priority I share with African leaders,” the President told the African ambassadors.
He said a good infrastructure network will reduce the cost of doing business and attract investors to Africa.
