Discussions are focusing on the following issues: Trade (WTO and EPA negotiations, non-tariff barriers, COMESA Customs Union); Investment (MOU between the Board of Investment and Kenya Investment Authority); Services (movement of professionals, mutual recognition of qualifications, capacity-building); and Communications (air and maritime connectivity, cooperation with the ports authority).  Private sector collaboration and the setting up of a Joint Business Council are being examined.

This second meeting is also expected to review progress on the decisions taken at the first meeting held in Nairobi in January 2011 where a number of issues of interest to both countries were discussed.  These included Standards, Sanitary and Phytosanitary issues, Customs, Investment Facilitation, Tourism and Hospitality, Fisheries, Agro-Industry, Livestock industry, Export Promotion, Standards and Conformity assessment.

In line with recommendations made at that meeting, the Mauritius Standards Bureau and the Kenya Bureau of Standards signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the mutual recognition of standards to facilitate bi-lateral trade. An Agreement on the promotion and protection of Investment and a Double Taxation Agreement have also been signed and are awaiting ratification on the Kenyan side.

An investment promotion mission is planned in Kenya during the course of this year.

It is recalled that Mauritius and Kenya signed in 2003 the Bilateral Trade Agreement providing for the setting up of a Joint Trade Committee to oversee the implementation thereof.