New Egyptian ambassador hails deeply-rooted ties with Kenya

CAIRO - 7 December 2018: Egypt's newly assigned ambassador to Nairobi Khaled Al-Abyad, presented his credentials on Thursday to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and gave a speech on historic relations between both countries.

In his speech, the ambassador hailed deeply-rooted relations binding the two countries, pledging to spare no effort to boost them in the current period, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In turn, Kenyatta greeted President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and the Egyptian people, expressing his intention to meet an invitation to visit Egypt soon.

In March, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry paid a visit to Nairobi, where he met with his Kenyan counterpart , and discussed with her ways to boost bilateral relations, and enhance counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries. Both sides also discussed developments of the GERD negotiations, and relations among Nile Basin countries.

Bounded by the Nile River, both states' heads met last year in Nairobi to celebrate historic ties, and ensure continuity of improving trade. President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi promised to guarantee fair use of the waters of the world's longest river. Both leaders agreed to increase the bilateral trade to $1 billion over two years, after the trade volume reached $451 million in 2016. They also discussed importance of conclusion of bilateral agreements on the avoidance of double taxation to protect investment opportunities.

Kenya’s major export to Egypt is tea, which comprises 96 per cent of the goods sold to the North African country. Egypt sells here manufactured goods which include sugar and sanitary products, according to the Daily Nation news website.

Egypt and Kenya are member states of the free trade area of COMESA.

Additional reporting by MENA