British Prime Minister Theresa May (L, front) and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta address a joint media briefing at State House in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Aug. 30, 2018. British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in Kenya early Thursday for a day-long official visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations between the two countries. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)
NAIROBI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan and British governments on Thursday pledged to deepen trade and investment partnership under the post-Brexit arrangement.
Visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said talks between the two countries are underway to come up with a new framework of trade.
"I want to ensure that the UK's relationship with Kenya and with Africa is more and more about private investment, about doing business and making the most of commercial opportunities together," May told a joint news conference in Nairobi shortly after the two leaders led their respective delegations in bilateral talks.
She assured Kenya of continued access of Britain's markets through the current duty-free arrangement after the exit of Britain from the European Union.
May who led a 29-member delegation of business executives said trade links between Britain and Kenya will continue to be strengthened to enhance economic partnerships, adding that many investors from her country have an appetite for investing in Kenya.
She said Britain is the largest foreign investor in Kenya and it is London's "ambition to be the G7's number one investor in Africa by 2022."
"So as Britain prepares to leave the European Union we are committed to a smooth transition that ensures continuity in our trading relationship with Kenya, ensuring Kenya retains its duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market," May said.
On his part, Kenyatta said Kenya is looking forward for more investments from both its traditional and new partners to meet its socio-economic agenda.
"Kenya is open for business for all. And we are not going out there with a begging bowl. No! We are saying that Kenya is an attractive investment destination for foreign companies to come, and get a very good dividend while creating jobs, and helping us further our development agenda," he said.
