Kenya's National Assembly will collaborate with their Switzerland counterpart to foster free trade between the two countries, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has announced.
Wetang'ula said a delegation of Swiss parliamentarians will visit Kenya in January to kickstart the plans.
The Speaker made the remarks when he hosted the Swiss Ambassador to Kenya, Mirko Giulietti, who had paid him a courtesy call at his office at Parliament Buildings.
The two leaders also discussed how to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Wetang'ula noted that through the Parliamentary Friendship Group, the two legislative bodies can expand their engagement in what is expected to add value to the two nations.
"Kenya can benefit a lot from market opportunities in Switzerland through the free trade initiative," said Wetang'ula.
The ambassador said Swiss MPs have scheduled a visit to the Kenyan National Assembly to commence the engagements.
Wetang'ula noted that although the House would be on a long recess during the period, he will mobilise MPs for a meeting with their Swiss counterparts.
While welcoming the envoy, who is only three months old in the office, Wetang'ula pointed out that Kenya and Switzerland enjoy unique similarities of being mini-capitals for several missions in the world.
He informed the envoy that he had put in place a team of parliamentary lawyers to come up with a legal framework borrowed from Switzerland on how to manage Nairobi City.
The Speaker commended Switzerland for its admirable neutrality in the conflict that bedeviled Europe, noting that the move made her the best choice to be the centre of international activities.
The ambassador thanked the Speaker for the warm welcome, noting that the meeting was important to him as he settled in office.
"I am only three months old in Kenya, and this courtesy call is for familiarisation purposes and also to seek support of the National Assembly to strengthen the diplomatic relations," he said.
Director Speaker's Office Steve Apopo attended the meeting.
