CS Calls on Commonwealth Member States to Remove Barriers That Hamper Trade – Kenya News Agency

Overseas and Diaspora Affairs Cupboard Secretary Alfred Mutua has referred to as for the removing of commerce obstacles that prohibit motion of products and folks amongst the Commonwealth member states.

Dr Mutua stated the removing of restrictive visa regimes and different non-trade obstacles could be important in leveraging intra-Commonwealth commerce.

In a press assertion despatched to newsrooms, the CS reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to constructive multilateralism, to the values and ideas of the Commonwealth and to mutually helpful partnerships that may safeguard and advance the welfare and wellbeing of citizenry within the member states.

“I’m additionally calling for a evaluate of the worldwide financing system that may assist in easing and higher administration of debt amongst Commonwealth Member States,” acknowledged Dr Mutua.

The CS made the remarks yesterday throughout the 22^nd Commonwealth Overseas Affairs Ministers Assembly (CFAMM) held on the Commonwealth Headquarters, Marlborough Home in London that was attended by ministers and representatives from throughout the Commonwealth, to debate joint responses to shared challenges.

The Overseas Affairs Ministers’ Assembly is held yearly to debate issues of collective curiosity to the Commonwealth.

This yr’s assembly targeted on enhancing the resilience of Commonwealth international locations in occasions of disaster and offered a platform for members to appraise one another on the challenges confronted by their international locations on the results of local weather change, Covid-19 pandemic and excessive meals and power prices that threat impacting peace and stability.

On the assembly, CS Mutua proposed varied areas of concern the place member States might work collectively collectively citing areas reminiscent of local weather change, air pollution and biodiversity loss, issues of regional peace and safety and specifically, countering violent extremism, debt administration, elections and nationwide cohesion.

He counseled Kenya for holding peaceable and truthful elections as was validated by each regional and worldwide election observer missions, and reiterated Kenya’s dedication to supporting African management in addressing local weather change, air pollution and biodiversity loss, in addition to Kenya’s function in advancing a cleaner, greener and extra sustainable setting.

The CS advised the assembly that President William Ruto, is advocating for the planting of 15 billion bushes by 2023, a transfer he stated goals at rising Kenya’s tree cowl to 30 p.c.

On the sidelines of the assembly, Dr Mutua held a bilateral assembly with the Overseas Secretary of the UK James Cleverly the place they mentioned problems with mutual curiosity and the necessity for peace and stability.

On regional peace and safety, they each agreed to collaboratively discover ingenious pathways to finish battle within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan.

Mr Cleverly stated UK appreciates and lauds Kenya’s dedication to enhance peace, safety and prosperity in Kenya and the area.

The Ministers additionally mentioned on the continuing initiatives and agreements signed at COP 27 in Egypt which they famous will allow commerce and improvement programmes within the two international locations to develop to greater heights.

On training, the Ministers agreed on rising scholarships to Kenya from the present 40 Chevening and 20 Commonwealth scholarships.

“Doubling of the variety of scholarships provided to Kenyans could be excellent,” Dr Mutua stated and requested for a quota of further 20,000 nurses to work within the UK.

“We request for 10,000 jobs for seasonal agricultural employees within the UK farm sector and assist to entry as many as 8,000 seasonal labour jobs in development, hospitality and well being within the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey,” he added.

By Bernadette Khaduli