President William Ruto has emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with India in advancing the country’s Bottom-Up Empowerment Transformation Agenda.
Ruto said Kenya’s potential benefits from India’s advancements in technology, agro-industrial transformation, universal healthcare, slum upgrading, affordable housing, and the digital economy revolution.
President Ruto announced India’s agreement to facilitate skills and technology transfer in Kenya’s sectors like health, education, ICT, and digital governance during bilateral talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi.
“The thrust of the business transacted during our official bilateral meetings with the government of India, as well as engagements with the representatives of the Indian private sector consisted of BETA-aligned encounters,” he said.
Kenya plans to collaborate with India to enhance its pharmaceutical and medical commodities manufacturing capabilities, as well as its advanced medical technologies like digital health and telemedicine.
“This would greatly deepen and broaden access to affordable healthcare for Kenyans from every walk of life and especially those at the bottom of the socioeconomic structure,” he said.
Kenya and India’s leaders discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment, committing to resolving market access issues and addressing non-tariff barriers.
President Ruto praised India’s decision to open its market to Kenyan avocados, stating it would enhance opportunities for Kenyan farmers.
President Ruto invited Indian companies to invest in Kenya’s attractive environment, including agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, health, ICT, green energy, affordable housing, and water sectors.
India has agreed to finance agricultural mechanisation projects in Kenya to boost agro-industrial productivity in line with BETA.
India has provided support for training and capacity-building in clean and renewable energy transmission, grid integration, management, and energy efficiency to boost its green growth ambitions.
Kenya and India have also signed a Joint Vision Statement, BAHARI, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region with india also agreeing to scale up cooperation in security to combat terrorism and other common security threats.
