President William Ruto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have signed a landmark bilateral trade agreement aimed at removing tariffs and boosting Kenyan exports to the Southeast Asian nation.
The deal, signed during a visit marking 60 years of diplomatic relations, will open the Malaysian market for key Kenyan products, including tea, coffee, flowers, avocados, titanium ores, and beef. “The removal of these tariffs is especially significant given the state of current trade,” President Ruto stated.
The agreement extends beyond goods to include a comprehensive partnership. Key components include:
- An air service agreement to improve direct connectivity between Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur.
- A plan to twin the two capital cities to enhance cooperation on urban planning and technology.
- A memorandum of understanding between the countries’ national chambers of commerce to deepen private-sector ties.
The partnership also targets collaboration in STEM education, research, and digital technology. President Ruto reaffirmed that the overarching goal is to balance trade relations by increasing Kenyan exports while reducing the import bill, creating what he called “broader and deeper strategic partnerships for mutual benefit.”
By James Kisoo
