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VIETNAM KEEN ON EXPANDING RELATIONS WITH KENYA.

Hanoi, 15th June 2011

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is keen on expanding and diversifying its relations with the Republic of Kenya. This was said by the Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Trade, Mr. Le Duong Quang, while receiving H.E Dr. Richard Ekai, Kenya’s Ambassador to Vietnam, it his office.

The Deputy Minister said that trade relation between the two countries has not been commensurate with the good bilateral relations between the two countries. It was however noted that the trade volume has doubled in the first quarter of 2011 as compared to the same period last year. Mr. Quang informed that his Ministry was keen on working closely with Kenya and promised to pursue opportunities for high level trade visits to Kenya.
Amb. Ekai presents a gift to Mr. Quang.

While acknowledging the full potential of trade between the two countries, Mr. Quang called for the initiation of agreements necessary to facilitate trade and bilateral relations. He said that his Ministry has, in the past months, been undertaking a study on forging closer trade relations with Kenya. He promised that Vietnamese companies will in future give consideration to organizing Trade Fairs in Kenya and also encouraged Kenyan Companies to do the same in Kenya.

On his part, Amb Ekai called on Vietnamese companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities availed by the passing of the new constitutions in Kenya as well as Kenya Vision 2030. By investing in Kenya, he informed that their products will have easy access to the EAC and COMESA. He further called on the two countries to cooperate in the international arena as they are faced by similar challenges.

Earlier, Amb Ekai met Mr. Nguyen Van Thao, an Assistant Minister in the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs in which it was agreed that the two Ministries start the process of putting in place a General Agreement for Cooperation. The two countries agreed to also expedite the finalization of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) as well as explore opportunities for collaboration in Agriculture.

Amb. Ekai with Mr. Le Hong Quan .
The Ambassador also held discussions with the Chairman of the People’s Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Hong Quan and the Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) where they called for an increase in interactions between the two countries. The Embassy and the VCCI agreed to host a seminar on Investment opportunities in Kenya for the Vietnamese business community at a later date.

The Embassy also serves the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Lao PDR.
Government PharmaceuticalOrganization of Thailand Expresses interest in Investing in Kenya.

Hon. Gesami with Mr. Witit during their meeting
BANGKOK, January 2011

The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO)of Thailand has has expressed its interest in Kenya. the Managing Director of GPO Mr. Witit Aravatkun made the statement while receiving the Assistant Minister for Public Health and Sanitaion of Kenya, Hon. Dr. James Gesami on 26th January 2011. Mr. Witit said that his organization will send a technical team to Kenya soon to undertake a study. On his part, the Assistant Minister assured GPO of his Ministry's support in availing any information that they may require in undertaking this venture. He informed his hosts that investing in Kenya will allow them to penetrate East and Central Africa region with a population of over 500 million. The Meeting was held in the sidelines of the ongoing 2nd Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Bangkok. The Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Kenya to Thailand Amb. Dr. Richard T. Ekai.

In another development at the Forum, The World Health Organization (WHO) has comended Kenya's effort in improving Community Health. While releasing the report, Reviewing Progress, Renewing Commitment: Progress Report on the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action, the world body declared Kenya Health Workforce Information System (KHWIS) as one of the best and effective Human Resourrces Information System. It called on other countries to learn from Kenya's Experience and Expertise. in the same forum a Kenyan Nurse, Ms Shali Mwanyumba, received a King Mahidol Award for her activities as a health worker in improving the lives of the residents of Taveta District.

AMBASSADOR HOLDS DISCUSSIONS WITH MINISTERS AND OTHER LEADERS OF LAO PDR.

Vientiane, 20th November 2010

H.E. Amb. Richard Ekai made a visit to Lao PDR to take part in the celebrations of 450th Aniversary of Vientianne as the Capital of Laos During the visit, the ambassador held discussions with the Minister for Water and Environment Administration, H.E. Mrs. Khempheng Phonsena, the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Mr. Sitaheng Rasaphon, the Vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Department at the Minsitry of Foreign Affairs.

During his discussions with the Minister for Water and Environment Administration (picutured below with the ambassador), the two leaders exchanged views on environmental conservation methods. The ambassador comended the role played by the leadership of Lao PDR in Environmental conservation and the two countries pledged to work together in the international discussions on Climate Change and environmental conversation. He also informed his host of Kenya's desire to benefit from the potentials of carbon trading.
Amb. Ekai with H.E. Mrs. Phonsena.

The Minister for Agriculture and Forestry and the ambassador expressed their intent to foster collaboration in the Agricultural sector. both leaders were optimistic that the visit will open closer collaboration between the two countries.

Amb. Ekai with H.E. Mr. Rasaphon.
The ambassador also held talks with Mr. Phuangseo Langsy who heads the Asia-pacific and Africa Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Mrs. Chanthao Pathamavong, the vice president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce. The Ambassador emphasized that his visit was the begining of more engagements between the two countries. The leaders acknowledged the strategic importance of Kenya in the African continent.

The Embassy also serves the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Embassy participates in the First African Week held in Bangkok.

BANGKOK, 19th september 2010
The Embassy of Kenya in Bangkok participated in the First African Week held from 16th - 19th September in Bangkok, Thailand. The objective of the one week event was to highlight the growing relations between Thailand and other African countries as well as create awareness of Africa among the Thai population. The event was organized by various Thai Government Agencies in collaboration with the African Embassies resident in Thailand.

The event was opened by the Minister for Education of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E Mr. Chinaworn Boonyakiat. On behalf of the other African countries, Kenya's Ambassador to Thailand, H.E Dr. Richard Titus Ekai, commended the growing relations between Thailand and other African countries.

Kenya showcased her potential through exhibitions of some of her products and distribution of dissemination materials on investment opportunities in Kenya as well as tourist attractions. As part of sharing Kenya's cultural diversity, the Embassy in collaboration with Kenya Airways sponsored cultural dancers from the Bomas of Kenya Ltd to perform in the event. This was the most popular show at the end of which members of the audience competed for a Kenya Airways prize in a quiz show.


Embassy holds cocktail party for Kenyans in Thailand to celeberate the promulgation of New Constitution.

BANGKOK, 27th August 2010.

While the H.E the president lead kenyans in promulgating the new constitution on 27th August 2010 in Uhuru Park , Nairobi, the Embassy hosted a cokctail party for Kenyans living in Thailand. The event brought together more than 50 kenyans as well as friends of Kenya. The event was marked with pomp and colour to usher in the New Constitution with live streaming of the proceedings in Uhuru Park.. The joy was evident as Kenyans danced with delight till midnight.

In his addres, H.E Amb Richard Ekai thanked the gathering for having responded to the invitation albeit at short notice. He called on them to to obey the laws of the host country and be goodwill ambassadors of their country. He reterated the embassy's commitment to working with the Diaspora to further Kenya's diplomacy.


Kenya and Thailand conclude a Joint Commission for Cooperation
18th June 2010
The inaugural session of the Kenya /Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Kenya and Thailand was concluded in Nairobi on 18th June 2010. The Two countries agreed to cooperate in economic and investment promotion and trade areas; agreements on double taxation and tax evasion; tourism, geology and mining; cultural exchange, education, science & technology, agriculture and agro-processing, housing, labour, security and health sectors among others.Click here to read the Joint Communique

Kenya responds to the ICC over President Bashir's visit

NAIROBI, 29 AUGUST 2010:The Government of Kenya notes with great concern the attempt of the pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to refer the matter of the presence of President Omar Al-Bashir's presence in Kenya to the UN Security Council as well as unfortunate statements attributed to some UN Security Council Members with regard to the presence of President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan in Kenya on 27th August, 2010.. Click her to read more....

Kenya-Thailand relations

Hon. Wetang'ula holds talks with visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Moses Wetang'ula today the18th of June 2010 held talks with the visiting Thailand Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E Kasit Piromya in his office. H.E Kasit is leading a Thai delegation to the Kenya/Thailand joint commission on bilateral cooperation (JCC) which was convened in Nairobi on 17-06-2010.Hon.Wetang'ula hailed the cordial and friendly relations between the two countries and welcomed the inauguration of the first ever JCC between the two countries.Click here to read more....

Updates

STATEMENT ON OFFICIAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN KENYA

Bangkok, 10th October 2010

In accordance with the New COnstitution Chapter 2, Article 9, Section 3, there are only three (3) National Public Holidays in the COuntry:-

    1. Madaraka Day, June 1st
    2. Mashujaa Day, 20th October
    3. Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12th December
Religious Holidays such as Idd-Ul-Fitr, Christmas and Easter will be observed as per the relevant Act of Parliament.

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