Bangladesh and Kenya on Tuesday agreed to expedite pending agreements and MoUs, including those on the avoidance of double taxation, promotion and protection of investment, cooperation in the blue economy, contract farming and other areas of mutual interest.
The issues were discussed at the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Kenya, held in Dhaka in a constructive atmosphere.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Kenyan delegation was led by Ambassador Josphat Maikara, Director General (Secretary), Political and Diplomatic Affairs, at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
The consultations reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and progress made since the second round of consultations held in Nairobi in July 2024.
Both sides discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture, ICT, defence, climate change, the blue economy, culture, sports and people-to-people contacts.
Bangladesh highlighted its strengths in pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, light engineering products, jute and jute goods, and agriculture.
The Kenyan side expressed interest in procuring more quality and affordable medicines and encouraged Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies to invest further in Kenya.
Kenya also offered to export high-quality coffee, beans, cotton and processed meat to Bangladesh.
The Kenyan side informed Bangladesh that a resident mission would be established in Dhaka soon.
The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation at the United Nations, in the Commonwealth and in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and to encourage high-level visits.
The fourth round of consultations is expected to be held in Nairobi in October 2028, reports UNB.