STORY: Kenya, Iran ink 5 deals to promote pragmatic cooperation
DATELINE: July 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:46
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Iranian President arriving at the state house in Nairobi
2. various of bilateral talks
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
4. various of bilateral talks
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English interpretation): EBRAHIM RAISI, Iranian President
6. various of the press conference and the two leaders

STORYLINE:

Kenya and Iran on Wednesday signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to help shore up bilateral relations.

The MoUs were signed in the areas of animal health and livestock production, information and communications technology, fishery, culture and heritage and investment promotion, in the presence of visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President
"This memorandum will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development between our two countries. Kenya remains committed to enhancing and advancing further engagements with Iran and our shared commitment to pursue the greater prosperity of our people, of our countries, and our region."

He said the two countries will tap the potential of trade cooperation, noting that they will strike a formula that will facilitate more exports of tea, coffee, and meat.

Ruto noted that Kenya exported tea worth 28.31 million U.S. dollars to Iran in the first quarter of this year, which is an eight-fold increase from sales for the same period last year.

The Kenyan president pointed out that the establishment of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi will offer a platform for Iranian and Kenyan businesses.

"This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills, and information," he said.

He disclosed that Kenya and Iran have signed more than 22 MoUs and agreements which have been key to the cooperation in development, education, scholarships, infrastructure, health, water, fishery, and agriculture, stressing the government's commitment to fostering and protecting all investments in the country, both domestic and foreign.

Raisi lauded Kenya's commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses, noting that the two countries have great capacities to expand their bilateral cooperation.

He said more Iranian firms will establish operations in the country, paving their way to accessing the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the markets within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English interpretation): EBRAHIM RAISI, Iranian President
"Today, African countries and all fraternal countries of Kenya have registered enthusiasm and willingness to have relations with Iran, and the Iranian brothers in different fields could be made available in Kenya and find their own markets. And I'm sure the president has created this atmosphere and this groundwork. And this visit, which is a turning point in the development of relations between our two countries, could create the market."

He also said that Iran has experience in the fields of petrochemicals, agriculture, and science and technology, adding that the two sides can have sound cooperation in the field of fishery.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV