President William Ruto is set to depart for Germany today for an official visit that will see him witness the signing of a Bilateral Labor Agreement ending months of negotiations between the two nations. https://shorturl.at/LBaVY
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00:00President William Ruto will leave the country this evening for a two-day official visit to
00:03the Federal Republic of Germany. This visit marks a significant milestone in the longstanding
00:08relations between Kenya and Germany, spanning over 60 years, and is aimed at strengthening
00:13cultural, economic and diplomatic ties. During his visit, President Ruto will engage in several
00:19high-profile activities expected to yield real, tangible and immediate benefits to the people of
00:24Kenya. The key engagements while on his official visits are as follows. Number one, he'll witness
00:32or preside over the signing of the Kenya-Germany Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility
00:38Partnership. Now, this will be a key highlight of the visit. The signing of this important
00:42agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on labor mobility, apprenticeships, student
00:48training, employment and the welfare of employees, as well as for the readmission and return of
00:54citizens. He will also participate at the annual Citizens' Festival, also known as Buggerfest.
01:02He will attend, that the President will attend and address this year's prestigious Citizens' Festival
01:07themed Pamoja Stronger Together. Kenya has been honored as the profile partner country, making it
01:14the first time a non-European country has been selected to partner with Germany for the festival.
01:21This partnership offers a unique platform to showcase Kenya's rich cultural heritage to the
01:25German Republic, or the German public rather. Cultural exchange has been the cornerstone of
01:32our connection with institutions like the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi playing a crucial role
01:37in promoting German culture in Kenya since 1963. President Ruto will also hold bilateral discussions
01:45with his host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as the German Chancellor Olaf
01:50Scholz. These meetings will focus on deepening cooperation on areas of mutual interest, including
01:55green energy and climate action, digital cooperation, trade and investment, skills
02:00development and labor, and regional and international peace and security. The President
02:07will equally engage with leading German business leaders during a special CEOs Forum
02:15aimed at enhancing trade and investment opportunities between Kenya and Germany.
02:19The CEOs of major companies such as Mercedes-Benz, YouTube and Ida Cruises are expected to participate
02:26in the forum. Germany is a leading foreign direct investor given the presence of over
02:30100 German companies in Kenya, with investments worth 150 billion shillings.
02:37Nairobi also hosts the largest office globally for the German Agency for International Cooperation,
02:42GIZ, and the regional office of Germany's top trade promotion agency, AHK. In terms of
02:50expected benefits for Kenya and Kenyans following the President's official visit, number one,
02:54employment opportunities for the youth. Remember that after the signing of the Kenya-Germany
03:00Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership, both countries will encourage the
03:06immigration of skilled workers who have completed vocational training or a university-level degree
03:12and whose qualifications have been recognized by the competent authorities of the other party.
03:18Critically, Germany will waive the requirement for a labor market test for Kenyans prior to
03:23employment. Germany will also issue long-stay visas for eligible Kenyans pursuing studies or
03:29vocational training. Upon completion, Kenyan students and apprentices may extend their stay
03:35to gain professional experience and potentially secure employment in Germany. Another benefit
03:42is that the Citizens' Festival will significantly raise the visibility of Kenyan culture in Germany,
03:47fostering greater appreciation and understanding while promoting tourism and cultural exchanges.
03:53In the last financial year, Kenya attracted 81,359 German tourists compared to slightly over
04:0066,000 in the previous year, marking a 23.2% growth. This festival, of course, then presents
04:08an opportunity to further grow German tourist arrivals in the country. The visit will also
04:16promote investment opportunities in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism,
04:21and the creative economy, positioning Kenya as a prime destination for German investors.
04:28This visit not only reaffirms the strong ties between Kenya and Germany,
04:32but also opens new avenues for cooperation that will benefit the people of both nations.