Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and José Eduardo dos Santos (Angola) focused on trade and bilateral cooperation during their talks in Luanda on Tuesday.
The talks were held on the sidelines of the 6th International Conference on the Great Lakes region (ICGLR).
Uhuru and Jose considered easing the visa regime to ensure Kenyans have improved access to Angola’s markets.
Angola’s private sector will in return make the most of the opportunities that Kenya offers.
Under Kenya’s progressive visa regime, Angolans can already access visas on arrival at a Kenyan port.
At Uhuru’s request, Jose said his country will look into allowing national carrier Kenyan Airways to increase scheduled direct passenger flights.
He said they will also consider allowing KQ to use larger aircraft to replace the current Embraer and Boeing 737 that ply the route thrice a week, and launch cargo flights.
He said this will be possible when the construction of a new airport is completed.
Kenya also sought a review of the rules governing Angola’s investor licenses and work permits. Uhuru requested that the wealthy Southwest African nation reconsider foreign exchange regulations which hamper business relations.
The leaders agreed that the matter be dealt with in the context of a wider exchange of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding when the two leaders hold a summit.
Jose said he will honour Uhuru’s invitation for a state visit in the second half of the year. Kenyan Foreign Ministry officials said they hoped to pin down an August date.
The Angolan leader was to visit Kenya but the trip was put back due to other engagements.
The Luanda meeting comes in the wake of a joint economic framework signed in 2014, which established ground rules for cooperation in business and trade.
Angola is Africa’s largest oil producer, and one of the continent’s fastest growing economies. Its GDP rose to $124 billion in 2014, and growth averaged nearly 10 per cent a year in the decade to 2015. Angola is chair of the ICGLR.
Jose said his country was willing to exchange knowledge and experience in the oil sector, to help grow Kenya’s nascent oil business.
The country of 24 million, a net importer of consumable goods, is one of Africa’s largest potential markets, especially for commodities.
Kenya, which is only four hours away from Angola by plane, is looking to supply tea, coffee, flowers, fresh vegetables, diary produce, and sugar to Angolan markets.
Uhuru told Jose that Kenya will also look into assist Angola improve its capacity and skills in services, including banking, hospitality and tourism, in which the East African nation thrives.
Kenya was also prepared to help Angola grow its agriculture sector, as part of the quest to diversify from oil.
Source: The Star

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