Balozi Mishi: July 2007

1. Consultations between Foreign Ministries of Kenya and Pakistan

The Permanent Secretary visited to Pakistan on official visit from 9th to 12th June 2007 during which he held very fruitful discussions with senior officials of the Foreign Ministry. The Permanent Secretary held bilateral consultations with the Pakistani Foreign Secretary H.E. Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan to review the status of the relations between the two countries and to chart the way forward. During the consultations, the two sides appreciated the existing historical relations founded on strong common cultural heritage and bilateral ties.
The two sides held detailed discussions on key areas of mutual interests including the need to increase trade volumes in key trade products (rice and tea) and called for diversification of items of trade.

On the way forward, the two Foreign Secretaries agreed on the need to the further strengthen the existing political relations between the two countries by establishing a framework for consultations between the two Ministries. Towards this end, it was agreed that the two governments should consider a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by the Foreign Ministers to institutionalise closer consultations. They further expressed mutual commitment of the two Ministries to hold the next Kenya -Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission meeting as scheduled in the last quarter of this year. It was proposed that the JMC should coincide with the proposed visit to Kenya by the Pakistani Foreign Minister. The two sides also endorsed the need for enhancing bilateral relations through government to government visits at the highest level.
In his remarks during the bilateral consultations, the Permanent Secretary appreciated the decision of the Pakistani government to offer three annual scholarships for Kenyan students in various fields. He, however, requested the Pakistani government to increase the scholarships particularly in technical areas such as engineering and IT, which are critical to Kenya’s development initiative.
The bilateral consultations also revealed the need for the two countries to establish mechanisms for exchange of information on issues on mutual interests in galvanizing international governance, rule of law and measures to counter international crime.
The Pakistani Foreign Secretary expressed appreciation of his government for Kenya’s assistance in improving the grading system for broken rice as a means to upgrade the quality of Pakistani rice exports. He further urged Kenya to consider review of the Visa Application regulations for Pakistani general business persons who carry recommendations from the relevant government authorities. The Permanent Secretary briefed on the reform initiatives the Kenya government is implementing to ensure effective management of visa applications to encourage foreign businesspersons to visit Kenya.
The Permanent Secretary also paid a courtesy call on Mr. Syed Asif Shah, Secretary of Commerce of Pakistan.

2. Visit to the Foreign Service Institute, Islamabad
While in Islamabad, the Permanent Secretary visited the Foreign Service Institute of Pakistan during which he held discussions with Ms. Fauzia Nasreen, Director General of the Institute. While at the Institute, the Permanent Secretary was briefed on the management, operations and courses curriculum designed for the various cadres of Ministry’s Staff.

Following detailed discussions, it was agreed on the need for Kenya and Pakistan to consider establishing formal relations between the FSI of Pakistan and the newly launched Foreign Service Institute of Kenya.

The Permanent Secretary expressed the desire of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya to cooperate with the FSI of Pakistan in key areas such as curriculum development and training of Foreign Service Officers.

3. Visit to the Official Residence and Chancery

As part of his official programme in Islamabad, the Permanent Secretary visited the High Commissioner’s Residence where he had a breakfast meeting with Staff before holding discussions with the Staff at the Chancery. There are also plans to consider construction of Staff apartments in line with the Ministry’s new strategy in favour property acquisition rather than renting of offices and residences.

The Permanent Secretary also toured the new designated plot acquired by the government for construction of the new Chancery and Official residence where he planted a tree to commemorate his visit.

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