The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetang’ula hosted Yemen’s Minister for Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Bin Mubarak, in his office at Parliament Buildings. The meeting signifies a strong historical and mutual interest between the two nations, particularly in maritime trade, given Yemen’s strategic position controlling major trading routes to Europe via the Red Sea.
The meeting between Speaker Wetang’ula and Yemen’s Minister for Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ahmed Bin Mubarak, signifies a strong interest in enhancing trade relations between Kenya and Yemen, particularly in the coffee and tea markets. Kenya sees the Middle East as an important market for its products, and this collaboration aims to strengthen business ties and potentially lead to investment and job opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya has a deliberate policy of engaging with its Middle East friends, recognizing their significance as a market for Kenyan coffee and tea, and as transshipment points to other markets. The visit by the Yemeni Minister reflects a commitment to enhancing business and trade relations, with Kenya serving as a gateway to the East African trading bloc.
“We as Kenya have a deliberate policy to engage our Middle East friends, very important for trade and a big market for our coffee and tea. Even when they don’t consume our products they have acted as a major transhipment to other markets, said the Speaker.
The Speaker encouraged Yemen to invest in Kenya, collaborate in food production, and establish trading hubs within the country, which would result in business and job opportunities for Kenyans. The Speaker also expressed his hope for peace in Yemen, as stability in the region directly impacts Kenya.
“Peace for Yemen is peace in Kenya and if there is no peace in Yemen, Kenya will be affected in many ways”, posed Speaker Wetang’ula.
Present at the meeting included the National Assembly Deputy Speaker Hon. Glady Boss, Yemen’s Charge d’Affairs His Excellency Abdulsalam Alawi, and Yemen Honorary Consulate Sheikh Saleh Shigog.