Kenya eyes trade volume increase with Malaysia via coffee, tea exports

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenya eyes bilateral ties expansion with Malaysia through exports of agriculture products which includes coffee and tea, said Kenya's High Commissioner to Malaysia Francis Ndegwa Muhoro.

Muhoro said with conducive initiatives provided by his country, Malaysian business players should grab the market access opportunity in order to further expand bilateral trade and investments between the two nations.

"We are actively bringing to all the knowledge of our products, as well as to connect with more business key players and companies.

He noted the coffee industry in the East African country comprised around 20 per cent of the country's export revenues and it is the country's third-largest export commodity.

Speaking on specialties of Kenyan coffee and tea, Muhoro, who is also accredited to Brunei Darussalam said, "Malaysians will need to try Kenyan tea. I personally want to tell them "Make It Kenya" when it comes to our coffee, tea, avocado and tourism, as a whole.

"Though exports to Malaysia are still very low, there are a lot of opportunities that can be exploited by Malaysians and Kenyans and (also) Africans, in general.

"We in the High Commission are here to provide support and facilitate collaboration between businesses and individuals from both countries so that together we can explore business potentials that exist in our partnerships," he added.

In a previous report, Bernama quoted the High Commissioner as saying that the bilateral trade growth was very positive as it increased by 81 per cent in 2021.

In 2021, Kenya's exports to Malaysia amounted to US$6.70 million (Ksh. 2,026,144,634) while imports amounted to US$3.42 million (Ksh.10,333,864,165).

Nairobi and Kuala Lumpur established diplomatic relations in 1965. Kenya established its resident mission in 1996, while Malaysia established its resident High Commission in Nairobi in 2005.

-- BERNAMA