NAIROBI: Kenya and Japan are seeking direct flights between Nairobi and Tokyo to help ease travel between the two capitals. The matter was among issues discussed during the Kenya -Japan Business Forum that was held in Kenya last week with a view to broaden and deepen partnership between the two countries.
During the forum Kenya urged Japan to make more investments in the country in sectors such as construction, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and tourism; and more importantly, the development of the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor. Japan continues to make significant investments in the main Kenyan port of Mombasa, road network and in electricity generation particularly on hydro and geothermal power (Olkaria).
Among the investments from Japan include Toyota Tsusho, who undertook the survey to construct the Hoima-Lokichar-Lamu crude oil pipeline to the Kenyan Port of Lamu and is also likely to bid for its construction.
The National Oil Corporation has partnered with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) to conduct geophysical surveys on its block 14T located near where oil discoveries have been made by Tullow and Africa Oil. Under African Business Education (ABE) Initiative, Japan will sponsor up to 1,000 African students to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in Japan.
Kenya and Japan enjoy a longstanding friendship that dates back to the early years of Kenya’s independence. Trade between Kenya and Japan has been on the increase; rising steadily from $229 million in 2000 to $1.5 billion in 2014.
Nairobi hosts one of the largest Japanese communities in Africa and is the regional headquarters for all of Japan’s major agencies including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
