Kenya and Israel are to work together to reduce trade barriers.
During a meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Kenya’s President William Ruto and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential that exists between the two countries. “We must exploit these opportunities. There is a wide range of exports that deserve to reach the Israeli market,” said Ruto.
He said the lack of direct flights between Kenya and Israel was a serious impediment that had hindered trade and tourism between the two nations, adding that both Kenya and Israel had unique global attractions that could support growth in their tourism industries.
“Without free movement, tourism is severely restricted,” said Ruto.
He said the revision of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement gave Kenya Airways and El Al more opportunities to improve their operations. This co-operation had been further motivated by Kenya’s slow trade volumes of late. Currently, Kenyan exports to Israel amount to KES1.1 billion, while imports from Israel to Kenya are worth KES7.5 billion per year.
“We are underperforming but we have clear potential to do much more,” Ruto commented.
Ruto believes the imbalance is a result of limitations on export producers in Kenya, which has affected their performance.
Netanyahu committed to continuing to work with Kenya and maintain stability to improve their socio-economic trade relations.
“We are broadening our friendship to efficiently produce more to feed our people and export the surplus,” said Ruto.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, noted that Israel’s modern farming technology would sustainably drive and assist Kenya’s “hugely transformational plan”.
