Angolan Ambassador to Kenya has reiterated his country’s interest in Kenya investing in Luanda.
His Excellency ambassador Virgilio Marques de Faria said Angola has opportunities in Education, Agriculture and Trade.
Speaking in Kisii when he called on Governor James Ongwae’s office on Thursday, the ambassador emphasized the need for Kenya and indeed Kisii County to partner with Angola to foster relations between the two countries.
He identified agriculture, education and trade as areas where Kenya and Angola could partner to foster economic development. He said Angola was keen for partnerships in Higher education through the exchanges of university dons and teachers to develop its education.
“Angola is a large economy that has overcome many challenges since it gained self-rule from the Portuguese. We are keen to partner with Kenya to spur investment and grow our economy. We are keen to have engagements in education. We also need to partner with Kenyan professors to foster education development in our universities,” said the envoy.
The envoy acknowledged areas of interest for Kisii County in trade and Agriculture. Tea exports and coffee are among the key areas of interest.
“We need to encourage Africans to invest in Africa. Normally, Africans invest in Europe while Europeans invest in Africa. We are happy to receive entrepreneurs that come to Angola from your country to invest,” he said.
Kisii County Public Service chair David Kombo who represented Governor James Ongwae said Kisii County can address the issues of unemployment by partnering with Angola in securing jobs for nurses and teachers.
Kenyan ambassador to Angola H.E Josphat Kaunda Maikara said the Kisii Diaspora was keenly following developments back at home and lauded the County Government leadership for laying the necessary structures for development. He said education and the medical field were huge markets for Kenya’s working force in the Southern African, oil rich nation.
Last year Kenya signed a bilateral agreement with Angola in establishment of the Joint Commission Cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultation between the Ministry of External Relation of Angola and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the General Agreement on Economic, Scientific, Cultural and Technical Cooperation between the governments of Kenya and Angola.
Present at the occasion were Kisii County Assembly Speaker Kerosi Ondieki, County Secretary Johnstone Ndege, CEC Finance Dr Kodheck Omwancha CEC Trade Osoro Kebati CEC Administration Periz Onsarigo, CEC Education Moerwa Omwoyo and CEC Agriculture Vincent Sagwe. Others were Principal Administrative Secretary Robert Ombasa and Economic Advisor John Nyamiobo.
Later the team will hold bilateral talks with departments of Agriculture, Education and Trade. Kisii will this year hold its investment forum to showcase opportunities in the county and areas of investment.
