Importance of strengthening relations emphasised in Kenyan president’s official visit to Barbados

Barbados and Kenya are forcing closer economic ties with the Caribbean nation’s prime minister, Mia Mottley firmly of the view that substantive business activity and trade can come to the people of the two countries in the future.

Mottley expressed this view earlier this week, prior to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his delegation boarding their flight back home after an official trip to the Caribbean territory.

The Bajan prime minister underscored the importance of strengthening relations at this time, emphasising that “we are now at the stage where we have to be able to diversify our markets, not just our tourism market, but those markets with whom we trade and with whom we invest and we believe that this is the excellent platform for us to do so”.

Said Mottley: “The fact that the President was able to bring a multifaceted delegation here, ranging from energy to financial services to travel to logistics to a whole host of things that are critical if we are going to put together the opportunities for our people to be able to trade and to earn, then I believe that that augurs well for the future.”

She added: “So this is a process. You are not going to see things happen all at once.”

In addition to working on the substantive areas for trade investment, Mottley stressed that both countries would continue to work on key issues internationally, including debt and climate.

Kenyatta thanked his Bajan counterpart for being a pioneer in reestablishing historical links between the Caribbean and the African continent. 

“I feel very excited about the prospects that exist for really strengthening and rebuilding the relationship between the African continent and her diaspora… ,” he said.

“After listening to members of my delegation who have engaged with various potential partners here in Barbados, the opportunity for really rebuilding our relationship is great.” 

Kenyatta pledged to continue working with Mottley to strengthen bonds and partnerships so “genuine prosperity” could be created for the people, and strengthen their voice in the international community as people of African descent.”