President Uhuru Kenyatta travels to Kuwait for economic summit

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amb. Amina Mohammed addresses the media at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait on November 17, 2013 ahead of the third Arab-Africa Economic Summit. PHOTO | REBECCA NDUKU

What you need to know:

  • The summit, whose theme is “Partners in Development and Investment", is expected to launch a new phase of Arab-African joint co-operation
  • President Kenyatta is also expected to hold bilateral talks with the summit host

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday morning departed for a three day official visit to Kuwait.

The President will join more other leaders from Africa and the Arab world for the third Arab-Africa Economic Summit. (READ: President Uhuru Kenyatta set for three day visit to Kuwait)

The summit, whose theme is “Partners in Development and Investment", is expected to launch a new phase of Arab-African joint co-operation by providing a platform for African and Arab business leaders to meet policy makers at national, regional and continental levels and share ideas on improving the business climate.

Egypt and Libya hosted the inaugural and second summits in 1977 and 2009 respectively to define the principles and framework of collective and individual actions that need to be taken to the next level of regional co-operation.

President Kenyatta is also expected to hold bilateral talks with the summit host, The Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (READ: President Uhuru opts for Gulf talks)

Kenya and Kuwait have had cordial relations and so far the country has received over Sh7 billion in aid from Kuwait over the past six years. (READ: Kuwait and Kenya to increase trade volumes, says Kuwait Ambassador)