President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Mozambique counterpart, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, have waived visa for citizens and investors traveling between the two countries. The deal signed between the two presidents on Wednesday, November 21, means one can now travel from Kenya to Mozambique and vice versa without the document.
Addressing the nation shortly after signing the visa agreement, Uhuru said the deal would go a long way in boosting trade between the two countries. “I am delighted that today Kenya and Mozambique have finally agreed and signed an appropriate visa waiver framework. This is the right step towards facilitating people to people contact, as well as enhancing trade between our two nations,” the president said.
He added a number of other efforts were being made to bolster trade between Kenya and Mozambique and to build capacity in developing the blue economy so as to unlock the great potential in maritime resources in the two nations. Kenya, Uhuru said, had also made good progress in the growth of gas, oil and coal exploration in the southern Africa nation.
However, the country is still seeking to learn from Mozambique’s best practices, especially in the area of transfer of technology, to help it develop its own extractive industry.
Nyusi, on his part, expressed gratitude to Uhuru for inviting him to Kenya and assured him of his government’s commitment to facilitate the bilateral trade relations between the two economies. “Kenya is a model economy. Under President Kenyatta’s administration, we have seen a lot of progress.
It is therefore befitting for us to work with a government that sets such a model,” Nyusi, who was in the country for a state visit, said. The visa deal comes less than a month after Kenya and South Africa entered in a related but different deal.
Under the agreement, Kenyans traveling to South Africa for studies, business and government duties will now enjoy longer stay in the country after the country scrapped short-term visas. Those traveling for studies and business will be issued with multiple entry visas valid for up to 10 years while government officials on official business will be granted free, three-months visas.
By Jacob Onyango
Source: tuko.co.ke