PM Shehbaz Sharif and Kenyan President William Ruto review bilateral ties and discuss trade, investment, regional issues and institutional cooperation on the sidelines of UNGA 81.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Kenyan President William Ruto in New York on Sept. 22 on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with both leaders reviewing bilateral relations and discussing ways to expand cooperation.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Kenya relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding and cordial ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation across political, economic, trade, defense, education and people-to-people domains.
In the economic sphere, the prime minister emphasized the potential for increasing bilateral trade and investment. He particularly highlighted pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical instruments, agriculture and other areas of mutual interest as sectors where cooperation between the two countries could be expanded.
Shehbaz also encouraged greater interaction between the business communities of Pakistan and Kenya and invited Kenyan investors to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, including in Special Economic Zones.
The prime minister further expressed Pakistan’s interest in enhancing its engagement and cooperation with the East African Community, a regional organization comprising countries in East Africa.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including sustainable development as well as international peace and security.
President William Ruto appreciated Pakistan’s mediation role during the recent crisis in West Asia and the Gulf region, according to the government statement.
The meeting also focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms for bilateral cooperation. Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining regular high-level engagement and further consolidating existing mechanisms, including Bilateral Political Consultations and the Joint Ministerial Commission.
Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the Kenyan people. He also expressed confidence that relations between Pakistan and Kenya would continue to develop on stronger and more substantive foundations.
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