Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, - Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan.  High Commissioner of Kenya Prof. Julius Bitok has said that Pakistan is a great country and what the international media is saying about it is just not true. It is a peaceful country full of opportunities. 

 It has rich culture, music, art and poetry. The real treasure in Pakistan is its warm, hardworking, friendly and welcoming people. 

 Pakistan is faced with a view challenges related to peace and security but Pakistan is a valued world partner in the fight against Global threat of terrorism.

Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan 

 Kenya has confidence in Pakistan’s government capabilities to overcome these challenges. 

We shall in this regard continue to work in peace, security and socio-economic development of Kenya and Pakistan so that our people can live in respect and dignity. 

 It is indeed a great honor to work in Pakistan as we engage to raise the bilateral relations. 

 High Commissioner of Kenya Prof. Julius Bitok said, Kenya and Pakistan are good friends. Our relationship started long before we established first diplomatic ties. 

The two sides have long followed the principle of sensor of friendship in mutual respect. 

Kenya and Pakistan have been collaborating for long in various fields of development. 

Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan 

 Pakistan needs to further reach out to Kenya and engage the business community through institutions like the Chambers of Commerce and industry.

 We have specific mandate to improve bilateral relationship and strengthen trade cultural and political relationship with a great nation of Pakistan. 

 A relationship has been cordial before and even after inception of Kenya High Commission in 1984 bilateral trade has risen over the time for 200 million USD 10 years ago to over 650 million USD in 2018. 

 He said,  The business environment in Pakistan has been improving over time. Although it is moving at a slow pace, things still seem to be hopeful. Improvements are required at regulation and procedural ends. 

Among other things, Pakistan still needs to make its visa policies more flexible for Kenyan nationals visiting Pakistan. 

The countries tax regime is still prohibitive especially on value added imports. The efforts of the Government of Pakistan in fighting terrorism and corruption menace have been commendable. 

This can increase direct foreign invest remarkably. 

Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan 

 We want to aggressively engage with Pakistan business community. This year I personally visited 7 chambers of commerce and industry in sectors of interest to Kenya namely rice, surgical instruments, textiles and pharmaceuticals. 

 I am also closely in contact with Pakistani authorities for direct flights of Kenya Airways (KQ) to Karachi.   

 By looking at the success to first Pakistan Kenya trade conference, we intend to hold such conferences each year on a regular basis. Prof. Julius Bitok said Kenya has been aggressive in the region in terms of opening up the trade environment for the business. 

The following benefits for investors accrue: The export processing zones authority extending all benefits that accrues to investors in the zone including tax-free holiday. 

Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan 

 A wide market access with total population of 47 million and 170 million people in the East Africa Community or COMESA are total population of 470 million people. 

 Preferential Trade Treatment: Kenya has bilateral and multilateral trade agreement with several countries and regions. An investor in Kenya will therefore have access to accessing the EAC, COMESA and AGOA market with goods and services. 

 Sub-regional economic communities like EAC, SADC, ECOWAS, COMESA etc are driving towards integrating into one free trade area thus releasing a dream of Africa being a single market and one economy. 

 Kenya is politically stable country with 5 years term of regular elections. The government is therefore predictable and good for investor. 

 Kenya constitution guarantees against expropriation of private property and there is no foreign exchange control on repatriation of capital profits and interest. 

Impressions of Kenyan HC Prof. Julius Bitok about Pakistan 

 All the above instruments and tools that the government of Kenya lays on disposal of investor who wish to take advantage to invest and trade. 

 Kenya is strategically located. By investing in Kenya one is able to access countries in Kenya’s Hinterland: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, South Sudan. 

 Kenya is beneficiary of Pakistan Technical Assistance Program and scholarships are offered by the government of Pakistan. 

 There are about 100 Kenyan students studying in Pakistan in the fields of medicine, engineering pharmacy, business and law.

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