Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete has embarked on an official visit to Kenya to promote trade ties with his East African neighbour, the Kenyan foreign ministry said here Tuesday.
The Tanzanian President has set up meetings with key Kenyan economic leaders and is expected to visit several institutions to share knowledge about economic, trade and health issues.
President Kikwete, who is on a three-day official visit to Kenya, would witness the signing of various pacts at the conclusion of their Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC).
During meetings in Nairobi, Kikwete and his Kenyan counterpart, resolved to boost trade by removing trade barriers between the two sides.
President Kibaki hailed the rapid growth of trade between the two states, which he said rose from US$ 200 million to US$ 600 million.
Kenyan traders have in recent months complained about the delays in accessing the Tanzanian side of the border, leading the ministers of transport, the revenue authorities and the trade ministers to hold a series of crisis meetings.
President Kibaki and the visiting Tanzanian head of state agreed to enhance their fight against terrorism, piracy and the lifting of barriers to trade across the East African region.
The two are members of the East African Community (EAC), which is striving to form a common federation, complete with a single currency and a single President for the region.
