Visa-Free Regime among Key Wins for the Kenya business community to unlock trade with South Africa.

Following the high level business forum that took place earlier in the day involving both the private and public sectors from Kenya and South Africa .

The business forum was followed up by a presidential deliberation involving the business community and the two heads of state H.E Dr.William Samoei Ruto,CGH President of Kenya and H.E Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa to deliberate on matters discussed and come up with tangible solutions for the benefit of the business community .

The Chamber President Mr.Richard Ngatia in his welcoming remarks recognized the business community present during the forum and appreciated them for being part of the important deliberations .He then proceeded to present a joint summary between him and the South African counterpart Dr. Stavros Nicolaou ,Board Member BUSA of the business forum ,which included the following ;

*The purpose of the business forum was to unlock trade ,investment potential and deepen mutual cooperation between the two countries .

The forum which comprised of both private sector and public sector will bring about an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect between the two countries .

*The two governments have been called upon to seamlessly improve the environment for doing business in the two countries including easing the visa regimes.

*The two countries will work towards having a vibrant frictionless trade and investment relations with the aim of improving livelihoods of the citizens ,particularly the youth ,women and MSMEs of the two countries .

*The forum took note of the challenges inhibiting the full exploitation of business opportunities within the two countries and called upon the two governments to streamline and harmonize the regulatory frameworks on standards and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards (SPS)

*The forum highlighted specific opportunities which can be harnessed for enhanced economic growth in Eastern and South Africa .

*The Forum recognized the importance of agriculture and value addition in the two economies and the whole continent.

The Cabinet Secretary for Trade ,Investment and industry Hon .Moses Kuria in his remarks stated that the future of Africa lies in the free flow of trade and investments.He also called upon South African companies to partake in Kenya’s infrastructure, construction and telecommunication projects through PPPs.

The two heads of state announced a visa free regime for Kenyans going to South Africa for a period of 90 days.