The House of Representatives is to partner with Kenya in the development of critical sectors of the economy.
The Chairman, Nigeria-kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Abdullahi El-rasheed, gave the indication at a meeting with members of the Kenya High Commission To Nigeria, in Abuja.
He said that Nigeria and Kenya cooperation has continued to grow in diverse areas, particularly in trade, investment, and mutual support on the global stage.
“Since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on May 28, 1964, our countries have enjoyed a strong partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations for peace and prosperity across Africa.
“In January 2015, Kenya and Nigeria took significant steps to enhance bilateral ties by signing critical agreements that covered diverse sectors including tourism, agriculture, oil and gas, and trade. These agreements provided a solid foundation for greater collaboration from the exchange of goods such as Kenya’s tea and horticultural products to Nigeria’s petroleum products and cement.
“With the constitution of the Nigeria-Kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group and constant engagement with critical stakeholders across all sectors of governance and other critical economic sectors, I strongly believe that both Nigeria and Kenya are well-positioned to explore new opportunities for trade in areas of technology, renewable energy, tourism and other economic and developmental aspects that will define the future of our economie”. Mr. El-rasheed said.
He noted that despite the positive developments recorded since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship in 1964, the committee recognizes that there are still challenges that must be overcome to unlock the full potential of the bilateral relationship, especially in terms of increasing trade volumes.
“As major stakeholders in this venture, we have a responsibility to continue fostering dialogue, addressing trade barriers, and facilitating greater understanding of each other’s economic landscapes. This will ensure that the potential of our countries’ vast resources is maximized for the benefit of our peoples.
“With the existence of these parliamentary friendship group, the House of Representatives reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening our ties with Kenya and ensuring that the opportunities we have identified continue to grow and translate into tangible benefits for both our together to build a future marked by greater economic collaboration, peace, and shared prosperity”. He emphasised.
The chairman stressed that the objectives and mandate of the Nigeria-Kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group cannot be achieved without an absolute and result oriented collaboration with the Kenya High Commission to Nigeria.
“The High Commission stands at a strategic position to lay the foundation of these great initiatives and as such the group will continuously and consistently reach out to the High Commission”. Mr. El-rasheed added.
In his response, the Kenyan High commissioner to Nigeria, Amb Isaac Parashina said that they are ready to foster collaboration with Nigeria in the area of textile, coffee and agriculture.
He described the collaboration with the Nigeria-kenya Parliamentary Friendship Group, as a welcomed development.
Olusola Akintonde
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