Kenya and Poland have taken significant steps towards enhancing their bilateral relations with the signing of two key agreements aimed at fostering cooperation in agriculture and tax solidarity. The agreements were signed during a ceremony at State House in Nairobi, witnessed by Kenyan President William Ruto and his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda.
President Ruto expressed optimism about the potential of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to bolster bilateral partnerships between the two nations. He highlighted the importance of the agreements in opening up new avenues for collaboration and fostering mutually beneficial relationships.
Furthermore, President Ruto emphasized Kenya’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of additional deals with Poland, signaling a strong dedication to strengthening ties between the two countries.
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Following the signing ceremony, both presidents participated in the Kenya-Poland business and economic forum, where various instruments of collaboration were endorsed. These included agreements between Ken Invest and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, as well as between the respective national chambers of commerce.
During the forum, Polish technological advancements were showcased, particularly in the areas of virtual reality for smart welding operations and drone technology for wildlife conservation in Kenya’s vast national parks.
A key aspect of the collaboration between Kenya and Poland is in agriculture, with a focus on bridging the demand gap for wheat and grain products in Kenya. President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s strategic position as the gateway to the East African Community (EAC) market and encouraged Poland to consider utilizing ports in Mombasa and Lamu as logistical hubs for exporting products to the region and beyond.
However, concerns have been raised about Kenya’s punitive tax regime, which may incentivize investors to seek opportunities in neighboring countries with more favorable tax environments. President Ruto acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need to address them to maintain Kenya’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
Discussions between the two presidents also touched on the possibility of developing a labor mobility framework to expand job opportunities for Kenya’s highly skilled workforce while addressing labor deficits in Poland.
Additionally, President Ruto urged President Duda to consider supporting the Call to Action adopted through the “Nairobi Declaration,” an outcome document of the Africa Climate Summit held in September the previous year.
- Tags: Agriculture, Kenya, poland, Tax
