Kenya, Mauritius in bid to strengthen economic ties

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Mauritius' Minister for Foreign Affairs Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo conclude a meeting at State House, Nairobi, on March 23, 2017. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • The African Continental Free Trade Area deal is aimed at paving the way for a liberalised market.

Kenya and Mauritius have agreed on the need for African countries to expedite the implementation of the historic African Continental Free Trade Area agreement that was signed on Wednesday.

President Uhuru Kenyatta held talks with Mauritius Foreign Affairs Minister Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, who visited him at State House, on Friday.

During the meeting, President Kenyatta and Mr Lutchmeenaraidoo discussed bilateral issues relating to blue economy, the development of economic processing zones and special economic zones in which Mauritius has substantial experience.

The President said there is need for the two countries to strengthen their financial services so as to better serve their citizens.

He invited Mauritius to co-sponsor the High-Level Conference on Sustainable Blue Economy Conference set to be held in Kenya in November.

The President and the minister also talked about the next review meeting of the Joint Commission of Cooperation to be held in May.

During an AU summit in Rwanda on Wednesday, African countries signed the trade agreement that is aimed at paving the way for a liberalised market for goods and services across the continent.

The deal will come into force within six months, and is aimed at improving the lives of 1.2 billion Africans.

Ten countries, including Nigeria, have refused to sign the deal that will have to be ratified by all the signatories’ national parliaments before the bloc becomes a reality.

If it is ratified, the agreement will remove barriers to trade such as tariffs and import quotas, allowing the free flow of goods and services.