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(�����������) - Seychelles and Kenya have a lot to offer each other and their ‘natural partnership’ can be enhanced even further, according to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenyatta expressed these views while meeting the Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, and his delegation on the final day of his official three-day visit to Kenya yesterday.

According to a statement issued today by the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions zeroed in on developing a deeper Seychelles-Kenyan partnership around tourism and the ‘blue economy’.

Kenya has lent its full support to the idea that tourism could be a major driver of development in the East Africa region after recent discussions at the African Union Tourism Working Group meeting.

Minister Adam had also discussed the possibilities of the joint marketing of Seychelles and Kenya as a two-destination package the day before with his Kenyan counterpart, the cabinet secretary for East African Affairs, Tourism and Commerce, Phyllis Kandie.

In addition to this, MFA says President Kenyatta has now given his blessing for the development of an extensive bilateral tourism programme which would include joint marketing and increased connectivity between the two countries.

With Kenya also on the verge of launching a new drive to promote industrialised fisheries, Adam has offered to share Seychelles’ experiences in the development of the country’s ‘blue economy’ with Kenya. Kenyatta welcomed the offer, saying the sector offered an ‘ideal platform’ for exchanges.

“The Blue Economy is all about ownership by regional states of the resources around our islands and coasts.  We are extremely encouraged by the willingness of President Kenyatta and the government and people of Kenya to work with us to truly harness the development of our ocean’s potential,” said Adam.

Kenyatta also highlighted a need for further cooperation in maritime security, and according to MFA, Adam has expressed the continued commitment and support of Seychelles for the East African Standby Force to the Kenyan President.

Adam also outlined the increasing numbers of trade partnerships between the two countries to the Kenyan President. Currently, Seychelles exports fish and imports agricultural produce and flowers from Kenya, but further growth in a variety of sectors is likely with a series of Kenyan-Seychelles business forums expected to be organised later this year.