1. The 5th meeting of the Korea-Kenya Joint Economic Committee took place in Seoul (Foreign Ministry building) on May 3, with Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Yun Kang-hyeon of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and Political and Diplomatic Secretary Tom Amolo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya leading their respective delegations.

2. The meeting was held as part of measures to follow up on ROK Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon’s visit to Kenya in July 2018. The two sides discussed the ROK-Kenya relations, including the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries; ways to increase substantive cooperation, including economic and development cooperation; cooperation in the environmental, education, and cultural sectors; and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Africa.

o The two sides said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1964, the two countries had steadily advanced their friendly and cooperative relations in a range of areas, including political and economic affairs as well as development cooperation. They added that the ROK-Kenya relations were taken to a higher level especially on the occasion of Prime Minister Lee’s visit to Kenya in 2018.

o The ROK side took note that Kenya’s economy is growing in a stable manner on the basis of its geographical advantage as a logistics hub in East Africa as well as outstanding natural environment. The ROK side requested the Kenyan side’s attention and support to help Korean companies with technological expertise build presence in Kenya and contribute to the economic policies of “Vision 2030” and “Big 4 Agenda,” which the Kenyan government is actively pursuing.

- The ROK side voiced hope that Kenya, which is called the “Silicon Savannah” as the leading country in the IT and startup industries in Africa, and the ROK with a competitive advantage in the sectors would further enhance cooperation.

- The ROK side also requested the Kenyan government’s attention and cooperation regarding difficulties facing Korean companies in Kenya, including delays in issuing work permits.

o The Kenyan side actively welcomed Korean companies’ bids to enter its market, and looked forward to active cooperation from the ROK side concerning the project to establish the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Konza Techno City of Kenya, financed by the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). The Kenyan side also hoped to increase trade in agricultural products, and strengthen cooperation in the infrastructure and transportation sectors.

o Furthermore, the two sides discussed the current state of environmental, educational and cultural cooperation, including cooperation in vocational training, events to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the promotion of Korean studies. They also discussed ways to step up cooperation in the areas.

o The two sides exchanged views on the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Africa. The ROK side explained its government’s efforts to achieve denuclearization and establish a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the Kenyan side expressed support for such efforts.

3. The 5th Joint Economic Committee meeting, which came about two years after the 4th meeting held in Nairobi in 2017, served as an opportunity to review the ROK-Kenya relations in a range of areas, and to enhance the two sides’ understanding of priority areas for future cooperation.

* unofficial translation