Hundreds of American investors are expected to come to Kenya in July to seek ways of deepening trade ties between the two countries, says United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
Kerry, who wound up his three-day visit to Kenya on Tuesday, said the business leaders would be part of the delegation accompanying US President Barack Obama during his visit to the country.
The visit would come at a time when trade between the two countries is at its highest, making Kenya the eighth largest trading partner of the US in Africa, according to figures released by the US Commerce Department.
Last year, the United States exported goods to Kenya valued at 120 billion shillings (about US$1.26 billion) while Kenya’s exports to the US totalled 47 billion shillings.
Trade relations are expected to improve further when the American business leaders visit, said Kerry, who added that the US was keen to help American investors establish their presence in Kenya.
So far the US has established a Commercial Service which is a trade promotion unit whose membership comes with preferences such as faster visa processing and direct links with American producers.
The US Federal Aviation Authority was still looking at the issue of direct flights between Kenya and the US, said Kerry who ended his visit after a series of meeting with various business leaders here.
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