TOAST SPEECH READ BY HON. MUTAHI KAGWE, EGH, SENATOR FOR NYERI COUNTY, DURING THE NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE), 2ND DECEMBER, 2014 H.E. MR. ABDUL RAZAK MOHAMMED HADI AL-AWADI THE AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN NAIROBI DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I am greatly honoured to be part of the celebrations of your national day. on behalf of the government and the people of Kenya and on my own behalf, i wish to extend congratulations to the government and the people of the united Arab Emirates on this very auspicious occasion. Kenya and the united Arab Emirates enjoy warm and cordial relations which have been strengthened over the years. these relations were further enhanced through exchange of high level visits by the leaders of our two countries and signing of various cooperation agreements. H.E. the president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta made an official state visit to the United Arab emirates (UAE) from 21st – 23rd November 2014. During the visit, the two countries signed various agreements and memoranda of understanding. One of these agreements Your Excellency, is the agreement on promotion and protection of investments between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates that was signed on 23rd November, 2014. This important document will allow more investments from your country while making it easy for Kenyan companies and businesses to trade with their counterparts. The agreement does not only ease trade restrictions and other barriers of trade, it also provides assurances for investors and traders in both countries. The agreement further creates favourable trading conditions that promote and encourage investments from the partner country while also offering reciprocal protection for investments. This is just one of the various platforms that will encourage and strengthen our close bilateral and economic relationships. Your Excellency, Kenya has numerous investment opportunities and as a country we are open for international investors in the infrastructure development that require over Kshs. 100 billion in investment on an annual basis. THE energy sector requires massive investments to enable the transition from over-dependence on hydro-electric and fossil-fuel power. Hydro-electric power is affected by climatic conditions especially lack of rainfall while diesel generated power is very expensive and un-economical. Your Excellency, There is a need therefore for more investment in generation of clean and renewable electric power for example geo-thermal, wind and solar energy. Ladies and Gentlemen, Kenya in cooperation with our investment and development partners is currently undertaking construction of the standard gauge railway line under the multi-billion shilling Lamu Port, Pipeline, Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPPSET) corridor project. This will accelerate construction of roads in the entire country. The country is also expanding the port of Mombasa to make it more efficient and competitive. The expansion will also increase the port’s capacity to handle more goods destined for Kenya and the east and Central African countries within the shortest time possible. Your Excellency, Many other sectors including mining, oil and gas exploration and production, wholesale and retail enterprises, tourism and hospitality sectors also offer un-limited opportunities for both local and international investors. I therefore encourage more investors from your country to come and invest in Kenya for the benefit of our two countries. Your Excellency, Our country wishes to thank your government for opening one of the biggest consular and visa issuance centres in the world here in Nairobi. It is our hope that the new consular office will allow direct recruitment of Kenyan workers to the United Arab Emirates thus locking out unscrupulous middlemen and agents who have taken advantage of Kenyans going to your country and other Middle East countries to seek for employment. Your Excellency, Your presence therefore provides both countries the opportunity to solve this problem. The government of Kenya has noted with concern the ever increasing mistreatment of Kenyan citizens who have sought employment in various Middle East countries as domestic workers or housekeepers/maids, hospitality workers, drivers and as security officers. This sector of partnership has however received wide and sometimes negative media coverage thus hurting our two countries. Your Excellency, There is need to identify more areas that would enhance our two peoples interactions and cooperation. These include but not limited to licensing of more airlines that will ply between our two capitals. I am aware that the request by Fly Dubai Airlines to fly to Kenya is still pending awaiting the decision by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. It is my belief that the concerned authority will give its consent as soon as all modalities of allowing commencement of operations for Fly Dubai Airlines are finalised. Your Excellency, Kenya would appreciate to receive more tourists from your country. as you may be aware, our country is a resilient economy. Despite the threats of terrorism and insecurity, Kenya aims to achieve a double digit economic growth rate by focusing on important sectors including the improvement of security. It is in this regard that H.E. the President during his state visit to the United Arab Emirates last week held fruitful discussions on security, combating terrorism and stemming radicalisation among the Muslim youths with the top leadership of the United Arab Emirates and the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. Finally, as you commemorate this important occasion, I wish to reiterate Kenya’s commitment to maintain and strengthen the warm bonds of friendship that exist between our two countries. It is my sincere hope that the United Arab Emirates and Kenya will continue working closely together for the mutual benefit of our two countries. Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen, May I now request you to join me in a toast to the good health, and long-life of his highness sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan the President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi and to the prosperity of the people of the United Arab Emirates. Thank You!
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:08:28 +0000