Kenya has opened an embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia in a move aimed at enhancing cooperation and ties between the two nations.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Raychelle Omamo presided over the opening of the new mission on Thursday in the company of her Indonesian counterpart Retno Lestari Marsudi.
“The opening of this Mission is no doubt a momentous occasion because it marks an incredible milestone in our bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1982,” said Omamo during the opening ceremony.
“It is, therefore, with deep appreciation that I commend the Government of Indonesia for the immense support and facilitation extended to us towards the establishment of this Mission.”
The new embassy is expected to bring consular services closer for Kenyans living, studying, and working in Indonesia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the mission will also help the two countries to reinvigorate bilateral relations and add momentum to existing collaborations.
Kenya and Indonesia enjoy cooperation in various fields including trade and investment; agriculture and fisheries; education and human resource skills development; defense and security; ICT and industrialization; affordable healthcare; housing and urban development; culture and tourism, and energy and mineral resources.
Indonesia’s Vice President Prof. Dr. Maruf Amin welcomed the move to open an embassy in Jakarta, saying his country considers Kenya an important partner in Eastern Africa.
Kenya’s main exports to Indonesia include tea, coffee and coffee substitutes, tobacco, vegetables, leather, and metallic salts.
“With the establishment of a fully-fledged diplomatic mission, Kenya is keen to strengthen the relationship and increase the value of its exports to Indonesia by shifting its export base from agricultural and mineral-based raw materials to value-added manufactured products and is seeking public and private partnerships with Indonesia in technology transfer, capacity building, training and investment in the entire value chain,” CS Omamo added.
“We hope that the opening of this mission will lead to the realization of the potential that exists between our two countries.”
