Malaysia Boosts Ties With Kenya, Scraps Tariffs On Latter's Agri Products

From M. Saraswathi

NAIROBI, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Kenya have agreed to elevate their long-standing bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, marking a historic milestone in the two nations’ 60-year diplomatic ties.

At a joint press conference today, Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto said this upgrade will ensure the cooperation between Putrajaya and Nairobi advances with purpose and structure. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the strategic partnership would cover all fields of endeavour and the traditional agricultural imports, but also in new technologies such as for energy transition and digital transformation, including semiconductors.

Both leaders spoke to the media after having a bilateral meeting at the State House here. 

“We reaffirmed our commitment to removing tariff and non-tariff barriers, expanding Kenyan exports to Malaysia and vice-versa, and deepening cooperation in digital technology and high-tech manufacturing,” said Ruto.

He described Anwar Ibrahim’s agreement to eliminate tariffs on agricultural produce and beef as a significant step that will open new market opportunities for Kenyan farmers and strengthen the commercial foundation of the two nations’ partnership.

 Kenya’s major exports to Malaysia include tea, coffee, flowers, avocados, titanium, hides and beef, while Malaysian exports to Kenya largely comprise edible oils and fats, chemical products, electronics, agricultural chemicals and rubber.

Anwar, who is on his first official visit here, said broad parameters and execution of decisions made in Nairobi can be finalised before Ruto’s visit to Malaysia next year.

“I am giving my assurance that prior to your visit, which is not going to be too late, maybe early next year, we will make sure that some of the broad parameters and execution of the decisions are made earlier -- December, January, February. We still have a few months, but we must showcase that we can do it,” he said.

Ruto said Anwar’s visit comes at a defining moment for Kenya, as the country advances a new national roadmap inspired by the experience of Malaysia and other Asian Tigers -- nations that rose through discipline, strategy, and a commitment to excellence.

This is the first visit to Kenya by a Malaysian Prime Minister in nearly two decades, after the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s visit in 2007.

“In our discussions, we agreed that Malaysia will explore partnerships and investments across our key priority areas, including collaboration in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and in research and development," he said.

Malaysia and Kenya have also agreed to strengthen the semiconductor bilateral relationship as part of Kenya’s human capital development and industrialisation agenda. 

“Through a strategic partnership, Malaysia will support Kenya to grow and expand its semiconductor technology and manufacturing capabilities, including with Kimathi University, already a leader in this field,” he said.

As part of its broader transformation agenda, Kenya is also inviting Malaysian private-sector players to participate in public–private partnerships (PPP), including investments in road network expansion through tolling, power generation and expansion under PPP arrangements, and dam construction. 

“We encourage Malaysian companies to take advantage of Kenya as a manufacturing hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Ruto said.

He said Anwar’s presence in Nairobi is a powerful affirmation that Kenya’s ambition meets Malaysia’s experience at exactly the right moment. 

“As we rise, we draw inspiration from nations like yours that embraced bold ambition over limitation and chose excellence instead of mediocrity. Kenya now stands ready to take its place among nations (like Malaysia),” he added.

-- BERNAMA