Kenya has signed a deal which will see its citizens get employment opportunities in Japan in renewed bilateral trade.
Kenyan citizens will have availed opportunities to work in Japan following an agreement which was inked in Nairobi.
The visiting Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishinda and Kenya’s President William Ruto sealed the pact.
According to President Ruto, Kenya is aligning bilateral trade to explore more job opportunities with the Asian nation.
“We agreed to align the curriculum of our two countries so that more Kenyans access skilled and quality jobs in Japan,” said Ruto.
Japan’s gain in bilateral trade
In return, Kenya will facilitate investment of Japanese companies and support them to finance Kenya’s development.
The areas of mutual interest include the construction of dams and other capital development projects.
Further, Ruto pledged to address double taxation facing projects funded by Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).
Potentially, the issue threatens the future of $73.4 million ODA projects in the country.
“We are pursuing the expeditious resolution of this matter within the due process of relevant institutions.”
Additionally, Ruto asked PM Fumio to continue funding High-Tech lab at KEMRI, Mombasa Intelligent Transport system and Ahero Irrigation Scheme.
Regional peace and stability
The leaders also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
As Japan takes up in its capacity as the 2023 Chair of G7 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Ruto urged Fumio to push for Sudan’s stability.
Japan is keen on investing in Kenya, based on the country’s attractive business environment in start-ups, energy and ICT.
“In order to advance the levels of industries in Kenya we affirmed our cooperation to promote the cultivation of human resources together.
“We also agreed to launch the industry dialogue to accelerate our bilateral cooperation,” said PM Kishida.
Ruto committed to sign ten new bilateral agreements that will see more Kenyans work in Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Earlier, Kenya also signed strategic deals with the US aimed at boosting its development and create job opportunities for its citizens.