Kenyan medical students will train in Barbados as part of the Uhuru Pact

Kenya and Barbados have decided to broaden their areas of cooperation and create more economic opportunities for the citizens of both countries.

Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, agreed that a strengthening of economic engagement would be the foundation for strengthening the historic bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two leaders took the floor when they led their delegations in bilateral talks in Bridgetown, Barbados, where they witnessed the signing of two key agreements.

The pacts signed by Kenyan Foreign Secretary Monica Juma and her Barbadian counterpart, Jerome Walcott, were a memorandum of understanding on the creation of a joint commission for cooperation (CCM) and another on consultations. policies.

President Kenyatta stressed that the economic activities that bring the citizens of the two countries closer together will make a real commitment of the people to the people.

"The reason why our people go to the United States, to London, to Canada or to any other country, is because they are looking for economic opportunities there. Therefore, one of the key elements for us is to find a way to establish economic opportunities at the South-South and Africa-Caribbean levels, "said President Kenyatta.

During the meeting, Kenya and Barbados decided to work together and strengthen their cooperation in the fields of renewable energies, tourism, health, education, the blue economy, information and communication technologies (ICTs), sports, culture, trade and investment.

With regard to health, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Mottley agreed that the two countries should have an exchange program whereby Kenyan medical students would be trained in Barbados, while their counterparts Barbadians would go to Kenya to do an internship.

Noting that the literacy rate in Barbados is high relative to Kenya, Kenyatta said education is a potential area for the two countries to collaborate more by sharing experiences and experiences. skills. He expressed his optimism that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a CCM offers the possibility of increased cooperation in the education sector, such as the recognition of the respective training certificates by both countries.

"When we talk about sharing our experiences in ICT, what we can do in the field of education and what we can do in the health field, among others, it needs to be supported by a platform. much stronger economic cooperation. the links. This is what will inspire our people to take action, "said Kenyatta.

"We want to share experiences, but we also have to be fearless economic diplomats who see themselves as complementary people who do not compete. We must try to see how we can build on our close ties for the benefit of our people, "he added.

Prime Minister Mottley welcomed the meeting stating that it was proven that both countries had made significant progress in building closer and better relations. "with a level of cooperation and partnership between our two countries and our two regions," said Prime Minister Mottley.

The Prime Minister said that if Kenya and Barbados understood that they had been victims of common and exploitative obstacles, they now had the power to forge a common destiny. "We think that our point of view on a number of things is common. Kenya, like Barbados, does not benefit from important minerals. Therefore, its population is its main badet. Kenya, like Barbados, has a very independent spirit, "said the prime minister.

Prime Minister Mottley expressed optimism that the revitalized partnership between Kenya and Barbados will provide new opportunities for the peoples of both countries.