Ms Marriot added that her country was keen on seeing the foreign currency revenues back into a win-win situation for both nations as part of their economic partnership.
The High Commissioner added that 43 percent of Kenya’s vegetable exports go to the UK annually including last year despite the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Speaking Wednesday after touring Flamingo Ibis farm in Meru County that grows vegetables and flowers for export to Europe, Marriot pointed out that trade was at the heart of the economic partnership between the two nations.
“Our economic partnership is great and we are going to build and grow on that, Valentine’s Day is coming up and in the UK 70 percent of roses come from Kenya so we have very romantic connections with this country as well,” The High Commissioner said.
Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who was also present said that Kenya and the UK recently concluded the Economic Partnership Agreement that would see more trade carried out between the two nations.
“The agreement provides the opportunity for us to expand exports from Kenya into the United Kingdom and especially for farmers whom we are encouraging to join in and take advantage of this market,” The CS said.
She added that Kenya exports Sh. 40 billion worth of goods to the UK each year noting that last year the country exported goods worth more than that despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The message from us is that this policy of the National Government trade agreements has really impacted on the ground like we are witnessing in this farm.”
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi who also graced the function hailed the recently signed trade agreement between Kenya and the UK saying that it would create more opportunities for the people as witnessed at the farm that has employed over 600 workers from the area.
“We also have 300 contracted out growers who deliver produce to this farm for export and are thus able to support their families,” Governor Kiraitu said.
by Martin Munyi
