JAKARTA,Indonesia,Mar, 17 – In a bid aimed at bolstering diplomatic relations with Indonesia, Kenya Wednesday unveiled its embassy in Jakarta during a ceremony graced by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb Raychelle Omamo alongside her host, Retno Lestari Marsudi.
Indonesia had long established its embassy in Nairobi back in 1982.
“The opening of this Mission is no doubt a momentous occasion, because it marks an incredible milestone in our bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1982. It is, therefore, with deep appreciation that I commend the Government of Indonesia for the immense support and facilitation extended to us towards the establishment of this Mission”. Said Omamo.
The new mission is expected to bring consular services closer for all Kenyans resident in Indonesia. while helping the two nations reinvigorate their bilateral relations.
The relations between the two countries has broadened over the years with cooperation in various fields that include Trade and Investment,Agriculture and Fisheries,Education and Human Resource Skills Development, Defence and Security,ICT and Industrialization,Affordable Health Care,Housing and Urban Development,Culture and Tourism, Energy and Mineral Resources.
As an emerging economic power, Indonesia is a high-potential partner in Kenya’s national development agenda, particularly in trade and industrialization, security and police cooperation, finance, investments, universal healthcare, and urban development.
“The opening of the embassy is an important momentum for the bilateral relations between Kenya and Indonesia to bring our two nations closer,” said Marsudi.
“Indonesia views Kenya not only as a promising market but also as a gateway to the East African Region. Indonesia is also a promising market for a variety of Kenya’s exports,” said Omamo.
Kenya’s main exports to Indonesia include tea, coffee and coffee substitutes, tobacco, vegetables, leather, and metallic salts.
With the establishment of a fully- fledged diplomatic mission, Kenya is keen to strengthen the relationship and increase the value of its exports to Indonesia by shifting its export base from agricultural and mineral-based raw materials to value-added manufactured products and is seeking public and private partnerships with Indonesia in technology transfer, capacity building, training and investment in the entire value chain.
“We shall work to ensure that we have regular political consultations to strengthen the relations between Kenya and Indonesia to ensure we increase investment opportunities for the benefit of the people of the two countries. We hope that the opening of this mission will lead to the realization of the potential that exists between our two countries,” said Omamo.
Kenya and Indonesia have a long historical relationship that dates back to the first Asian- African or Afro- Asian Conference in 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia. In April 2018, Kenya participated in the first-ever Asia – Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia.
Earlier wednesday, Omamo together with her counterpart Marsudi,held extensive consultations during the Inaugural Session of the Kenya-Indonesia Joint Bilateral Consultations.
The core objective of the consultations is the need to deliberately strengthen cooperation, and explore new opportunities for collaboration in various fields including Trade and Investments, Manufacturing sector, food and Nutrition,Universal healthcare and Affordable Housing and Agribusiness, Education and Human Resource Skills Development; Defence and Security; and ICT for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
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