KUALA LUMPUR: Kenya is expecting more robust engagements with the new Malaysian government to advance current warm bilateral relations in the spirit of South-South Cooperation as advocated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Kenya’s Charge d’Affaires in Malaysia Dorcas Rukunga said that as the country’s prime minister (PM) had profoundly advocated for South-South Cooperation under his previous tenure as PM, it was thus, about time to elevate the cooperation to a greater level.
“Our relationship has remained cordial all through with the past and current Malaysian governments, but maybe as Kenya and Africa as a whole, we are expecting more robust engagements with the new government for a simple reason; the current prime minister has been an advocate for South-South Cooperation.
“His keenness, intention and interest that he has on Africa when he highlighted the potential of reaching out to Africa in the UN (United Nations) General Assembly’s remark in September, made us want to explore more opportunities for collaboration and partnership basis, sharing experiences and leveraging on what we have to grow better, in terms of our relationship with Malaysia.
“I think we are quite expectant and I believe there will be a greater change with greater impact among several countries in Africa (as well as) with Malaysia,” she said on the sidelines of Kenya’s 55th National Day reception here recently.
The South-South Cooperation is a broad framework for collaboration among countries of the South and was an integral part of Malaysia’s foreign policy, apart from “Asian Values” and “Look East Policy”.
The Langkawi International Dialogue (LID), once held every two years was initiated by Dr Mahathir since 1995 as a platform for Malaysian leaders with African leaders to enhance ties. The last LID was held in June 2011 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Malaysia was one of the first developing countries to pursue an active South-South cooperation with Africa by establishing joint ventures, bringing in Malaysian investors and encouraging robust trade with Malaysia.
On the economic front, Rukunga elaborated there was always room for Malaysia to penetrate into the Kenyan market, especially on the “Big Four Agenda” economy blueprint, introduced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Food security, affordable housing, manufacturing and universal healthcare are the four development linchpins that Kenyatta’s administration pledged to focus on during his second and final term in office, she noted.
“We expect Malaysia to play a role in areas that it has a niche with us especially on Foreign Direct Investment. Our area of affordable housing is doing quite well, also in food security, thus we are welcoming the people to invest in both. – Bernama
