Ministry of Foreign Affairs Receives Assistance 15/09/2011

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received technical assistance from the ACP MTS programme to develop a Foreign Policy Strategy Paper. The Paper will be the basis of establishing a strong foreign trade department in the Ministry to handle all aspects of external trade relations as envisaged in the new Constitution.

During the launch of the assistance in Brussels on Tuesday 7 September, 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was represented by Amb. Mwanzia, Director Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Mr. Weru, Director Economic and Trade.  While on the other hand,  the Kenya Embassy Brussels was represented by the Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Kembi-Gitura and Head of the Chancery Mr. Washington Oloo.  ACP MTS Programme was represented by the Director, Nelson Ndirangu and Mr. Robert Bach Cassanovas. The expert hired by the MTS to assist the Ministry develop the paper, Mr. Kithinji Kiragu also attended the meeting and presented the work plan for the project.

In his presentation, the expert outlined various activities that would be undertaken during the project, which is expected to last three months. He also explained the role that the ministry will play in the project and in particular pointed out that there is need for the ministry to constitute a team of officers to work with the consulting firm on a constant basis during the programme. To enrich the policy paper, the consultant indicated that they would seek views from diverse interest groups including parliamentary committees, relevant ministries and other government and non governmental institutions that have interest in foreign trade.

The Director of ACP MTS Programme expressed his appreciation with the expert and noted that he had gone through the elements of the project to the satisfaction of the clients. The Director explained that Kenya was lucky to benefit from the Programme, which is financed by the EU for ACP countries to enhance their national development and support their international integration under the multilateral trading system. However, the Director reported that the Programme is soon winding up and that there will be need for ACP Ambassadors to follow up with the financiers on the ongoing projects.

H.E. Mr. Kembi-Gitura also lauded the ACP for the assistance given to the Ministry and assured that the Embassy will continue to follow up on the project by providing required linkage between the Ministry and MTS Programme. He expressed satisfaction with the project and indicated that this was the second time that Kenya was benefiting from similar assistance having received another one from TradeCom facility to assist the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance its negotiations capacity within the WTO multilateral trading system. Later on the Ambassador hosted a reception for the delegation at the official residence.