Egypt to start import of meat from Kenya

Egypt will soon start importing meat from Kenya and increase tea imports, following successful discussions with a Kenyan delegation, led by vice president Kalonzo Musyoka.

The Egyptian prime minister, Ahmed Nazif, announced on Wednesday during talks with the VP, that inspectors from that country will visit Kenya’s slaughterhouses next month to certify them in readiness for the importation.

Mr Nazif, who will also visit Kenya early next year, promised to mobilise more Egyptian firms to invest in the country, and to increase trade between the two countries.

He added that Egypt will cooperate with Kenya to boost investments in transport, agriculture, water engineering, and energy supply.

Mr Musyoka said Kenya wanted to work with Egypt in promotion of tourism, infrastructure development, education and exports.

“We are eager to export meat, cut flowers and boost tea sales to Egypt. This is already happening,” he said.

The economic prosperity of Africa will improve when the continent promotes intra-Africa trade and cross-border investments, the VP added, saying it was time regional economic blocks like EAC, Comesa, Sadc and Ecowas were integrated.

“With a one billion people market and vast natural resources, Africa is the continent to watch in terms of world economic growth” said Mr Musyoka.

At the conclusion of the bilateral discussions, a memorandum of understanding for agricultural cooperation between the two governments was signed.

It will involve sharing of technical expertise in agricultural research.

The Vice president also addressed a forum of the Egyptian chamber of commerce and industry where he challenged its members to invest in Kenya.