NAIROBI – Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Dr Jafar Barmaki has completed his tour of duty.
Ambassador Barmaki bid farewell to President William Ruto at State House, Mombasa, on Thursday.
The highlight of his tour of duty was the state visit by Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on July 12, 2023.
During the visit, Iran and Kenya signed five cooperation agreements in the fields of veterinary, communications, fishery, culture and vocational training.
In a joint press conference, President Raisi said Iran and Kenya have great potentials to expand their bilateral cooperation, and paying attention to these potentials can help improve relations between the two countries.
“A 10-fold increase in the economic relations was put on the agenda,” he said.
“We warmly shake the hands of all the governments of the African continent,” Raisi said. “Africa is the continent of potentials. Iran views African countries as full of capacities, talents, and natural and mineral resources. We also have many potentials. The exchange of these potentials can help the two countries progress,” President Raisi added.
He also said Iran has experience in the fields of petrochemicals, agriculture, and science and technology, adding that the two sides can have good cooperation in the field of fisheries.
“This trip, which is a turning point in our relations, can create a good market for Iranian products in Kenya and East Africa. In the exchanges and conversations, I had with the president of Kenya, we also agreed the two countries should provide the basis for the expansion of bilateral relations.”
On his part, Ruto said Kenya welcomes Iranian investors, adding that the two sides agreed Iran would set up a car assembly plant in Kenya and produce Iranian cars to be sold in the African country under Swahili names.
“I am certain that these projects will not be stopped,” Ruto said
Raisi was in Kenya on the first leg of his three-nation tour of Africa that also took him to Uganda and Zimbabwe.
