MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of the Right Honourable Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, 17-21 January 2010

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, The Right Honourable Raila Odinga, is on an official visit to Singapore from 17 to 21 January 2010. Prime Minister Odinga called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today. Following the call, Prime Minister Lee hosted lunch in honour of Prime Minister Odinga.

During the call, Prime Minister Odinga updated Prime Minister Lee on developments in Kenya and the East African region. The two Prime Ministers affirmed the warm bilateral ties between Kenya and Singapore. Both Prime Ministers also welcomed the expansion of bilateral trade. Prime Minister Odinga proposed a Free Trade Agreement between the East African Community (EAC) [1] and Singapore, a proposal which Prime Minister Lee welcomed. Prime Minister Lee also welcomed Kenya's interest in learning from Singapore's developmental experience in several areas. In this context, both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya's High Commissioner to Singapore, Professor Festus Kaberia, and the CEO of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, Alphonsus Chia, on technical cooperation in various areas, including the development of public housing, Special Economic Zones, ports, free ports, airports, single electronic window, e-government, Trade-Net, and mass rapid transit systems. Both Prime Ministers also witnessed the signing of an Air Services Agreement between the two transport Ministers of Kenya and Singapore.

Prime Minister Odinga also visited the Housing & Development Board, SMRT Corporation Ltd, and Changi Airport Group today.

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[1] The EAC comprises Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
18 JANUARY 2010