Brazilian president to visit Kenya

State House Kenya

President Kenyatta meets Brazilian President Addis Ababa, May 25, 2013, PPS

President Uhuru Kenyatta today on the sidelines of the ongoing AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, met and held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

During the meeting, the two leaders followed up on discussions held during the 2010 visit to Kenya by former President Lula da Silva regarding infrastructure development in the country particularly in the road sector.

In this connection, the two leaders agreed to hold further consultations on the construction of the Eldoret-Nadapal -Juba Road that connects Kenya to South Sudan among other projects.

President Kenyatta asked Brazilian investors to invest in Kenya noting that Kenya provides many opportunities owing to its vital position as a gateway to East Africa and the wider COMESA region.

The Head of State urged the Brazilian Embraer Aircraft manufacturer to set up a manufacturing and service plant in Kenya, he added can be a base from which to venture into other markets in Africa.

Noting that Brazilian economy was initially agro-based, President Kenyatta said Kenya stands to gain from the experience of Brazil especially in the modernization and mechanization of agriculture.

Promising to visit Kenya, President Dilma noted that there are many areas of cooperation beneficial to both countries.

She hailed the commencement of direct flights from Kenya to Brazil by Kenya Airways saying this will go a long way in promoting business and other exchanges between the two countries.

President Dilma pledged to pursue commitments initiated by her predecessor and in this regard expressed Brazil’s interest in deepening co-operation in different sectors of Kenya’s economy including agriculture, infrastructure, energy and education.

During the meeting the two leaders also hailed the longstanding and cordial relations between the two countries.

They said the friendship between the two nations has been evidenced by exchange of high level visits by presidents of the two nations citing the 2010 visit to Kenya by former President Lula da Silva.

The two leaders underlined their commitment to further deepen relations and explore new areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

Ends.