Kenya Proposes 23-Point Plan to Strengthen Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Council of Saudi Chambers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Council of Saudi Chambers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kenya Proposes 23-Point Plan to Strengthen Economic Ties with Saudi Arabia

Council of Saudi Chambers (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Council of Saudi Chambers (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Kenyan Minister of Trade and Industry Moses Kiarie and an accompanying delegation of Kenyan institutions and companies have met with representatives of the Saudi business sector at the headquarters of the Federation of Saudi Chambers.

During the meeting, the minister proposed a 23-point plan to strengthen and advance Kenya's economic ties with Saudi Arabia, including the creation of a joint business council, an e-commerce platform, and an economic cooperation committee.

He also called for encouraging Saudi businesses to invest in Kenya’s infrastructure and energy projects and private economic zones.

The minister stressed the importance of establishing a joint Saudi-Kenyan committee for trade and investment cooperation, calling on Saudi companies to invest in electricity, water, roads, housing, telecommunications, mining, financial center, hotels, airports, livestock production sectors, among other projects.

Chairman of Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ajlan Al Ajlan, for his part, affirmed the Saudi business sector’s preparedness to push commercial and investment cooperation between Kenya and the Kingdom.

The volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to about 5.7 billion riyals in 2021, which constitutes an increase of 73 %, revealed Al Ajlan.

He added that there is an opportunity to expand the scope of economic cooperation on targeted and promising sectors.

In other news, the Saudi Chambers’ Standards, Metrology and Quality Committee urged enhancing integration and cooperation in related fields within the framework of supporting the aspirations of the Kingdom’s national transformation plan, Vision 2030.

It also called for enhancing local content in various sectors in the Kingdom, through the localization of the production of goods and services to raise quality and competitiveness.



French Minister: EU Still Far from Tariff Deal with US

French economy minister Eric Lombard (center) says the European Union and the United States were still far from a tariffs deal. Jim WATSON / AFP
French economy minister Eric Lombard (center) says the European Union and the United States were still far from a tariffs deal. Jim WATSON / AFP
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French Minister: EU Still Far from Tariff Deal with US

French economy minister Eric Lombard (center) says the European Union and the United States were still far from a tariffs deal. Jim WATSON / AFP
French economy minister Eric Lombard (center) says the European Union and the United States were still far from a tariffs deal. Jim WATSON / AFP

The European Union and United States are far from reaching a deal on tariffs, France's economy minister said Thursday, as the bloc seeks a way out from trade tensions with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has slapped new 10 percent tariffs on most trading partners since returning to the White House in January, and imposed sharp levies on imports of steel, aluminum and autos, AFP reported.

The EU has not been spared, and a 90-day pause on even higher rates, including for goods from the bloc, is due to expire in early July.

"We're not going to hide the fact that we're still a long way from an agreement," said French economy minister Eric Lombard in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's spring meetings in Washington.

But at an IMF event Thursday, German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies said he was hopeful both sides could reach a deal before the 90-day window closed.

"We're optimistic that it will work, the sooner, the better," he said.

France's Lombard maintained that talks with US officials were warm.

He said he met this week with director of the White House National Economic Council Kevin Hassett, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lombard noted a desire from his counterparts to "move forward as quickly as possible," adding that Europeans have been described as friends and allies in the context of these talks.

He said both sides are looking for areas where they can make progress, adding that "workstreams" have been opened up to remove obstacles to exchanges.

Adding that Trump's new tariffs weigh on the US economy, Lombard said he hopes these effects "will push the administration to propose adjustments."

"We want tariffs to return to previous levels, and even lower if possible," he said, adding that he expects "ups and downs" in negotiations.

Earlier this year, Trump accused the 27-nation bloc of being created to "screw" the United States.

The White House has also said Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" were focused on countries that had been "ripping off" the world's biggest economy.