National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula called on the Egyptian government to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to realise a liberalised market.
Wetangula noted that Egypt is a key economic player in the continent whose contribution is needed to realise the goals set by AfCFTA.
"Egypt is one of the 'Big Four Brothers' in the continent and a signatory to AfCFTA. Member countries are relying on its muscles to achieve their ambitious economic goals," said the Speaker.
Wetang'ula made the remarks in his office when he hosted the Egyptian Ambassador to Kenya Wael Nasreldin Attiya, who had paid him a courtesy call today.
He added:
"There is no better idea to grow Africa economically than AfCFTA. If the initiative takes off successfully, then the African continent will be miles away economically."
Wetangula said free trade in the continent will offer easy access to investors and accelerate intra-Africa trade as well as develop regional and local value chains which the region is yet to enjoy.
The Speaker noted that Egypt has excelled in the irrigation of desert areas, noting that the same can be applied in Kenya through the modelled techniques.
This, he said, will help in food production and reclaim arid and semi-arid areas in the country.
"Most of the communities in desert areas in Kenya have been subjected to suffering such as hunger and loss of their animals due to lack of food," he noted.
"Egypt can help in introducing irrigation programmes in such areas to make them more productive."
The Speaker pointed out that Kenya has focused on dealing with Climate change through the planting of trees among other initiatives and called on Egypt to support the programmes.
"Egypt did very well in supporting afforestation programmes and digging of boreholes in dry areas before. This is the time we asked them to revive such activities so as supplement efforts by the government to reverse the effects of climate change," he noted.
The Speaker and the Envoy also discussed plans to form a joint Parliamentary Friendship Group between Kenya and Egypt's Houses.
The organisations will be used to lay strategies that will enable the Houses to learn from one another through exchange programmes for effective delivery of their mandates.
"Once the organisation is in place and they draw a schedule for the exchange programme I will plan for a visit by Kenyans Parliamentarians to Egypt in either November or January next year," said Wetang'ula.
The Ambassador noted that Kenya and Egypt have enjoyed outstanding bilateral relations and asked Parliament to help strengthen such ties.
He announced plans to host the 7th Kenya-Egypt Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) event in Kenya.
The conference will help to solidify and expand trade opportunities between both countries and accelerate economic growth.