Kenya–Pakistan relations

Kenya–Pakistan relations entails the diplomatic relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Kenya. Relations between Pakistan and Kenya were first historically established in the 1960s, when Pakistan expressed its support for Kenya in getting independence from British rule. Ever since from that time, relations between the two nations have been warm, with both countries having had discussed previously in the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission session which was hosted in Nairobi in 2004, about boosting bilateral trade and economic relations.^[1]

In that forum, the Foreign Minister of Kenya had stated that "Kenya values its friendship with Pakistan" and that "Kenya expresses the desire for further deepening of economic and commercial ties between the two countries." ^[2] The High Commissioner of Kenya, Mishi Mwatsahu, also appealed to Pakistani businessmen that "they should consider Kenya an attractive country to tap for investment, as Kenya is a gateway for Pakistani investors to enter the big market of 38 African states, which are landlocked to Kenya that has an international seaport of Mombassa." She also further said that "Kenya would fully support Pakistani investors in exploring the potential areas of investment in Kenya. She said Kenya has established the ‘One Stop Window’ facility for foreign investors to facilitate them and making business processes easier for them."^[3]

In response, the Commerce Minister of Pakistan welcomed Kenya's aims to strengthen its ties with Pakistan and further stressed the need for exchange of information, business delegations and regular participation in each other's trade fairs. He also pointed out that both the countries should lower down the tariff and non-tariff barriers to expand the trade. In this respect, he hoped that both the countries would be able to make progress in their negotiations on the Preferential Tariff Agreement (PTA).

There are also at least 2,000 Pakistanis who reside in Kenya. In other areas of contention, Pakistan disputes Kenya's claim on the disputed region of the Sudanese border conflicts.

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