Kenya to expand economic ties with South Korea, President Ruto says.

President William Ruto has said the government of Kenya will expand economic ties with South Korea to create business and job opportunities for Kenyans. Speaking during a meeting with Kenya Community in South Korea on Tuesday, President Ruto said Kenya will engage the South Korean Government to unlock opportunities in technology, trade, investment, and maritime operations.

“We have about 300 Kenyans in South Korea, the next time I come to South Korea I hope we will have 10,000 Kenyan youth working here. I know many of you are planning on how to come home, I am planning on how many more can come to Korea,” the Head of State noted.

He added that Kenya will leverage its human capital – which is one of the best worldwide – to expand opportunities.

“You have to understand your competitive advantage, as Kenyans, we have the best human capital in the globe. Creative, innovative, hardworking, self-driven, friendly, educated… you rarely get those qualities in a human being but you get them in Kenya. It is because of that spirit that Kenyans are different,” he said.

Additionally, President Ruto said the human capital will lead to an increase in diaspora remittance.

“Today we are receiving about Ksh. 400 billion from our diaspora every year, I am looking forward to push it forward to a trillion in the next five years,” he said.

The bilateral talks with South Korea will also focus on securing markets for Kenyan products. President Ruto said Kenya will focus on value addition with a view of exporting value added products.

“We must move from processing 5 percent of our tea to 50 percent in the next five years and in years’ time we should be able to process every gram of tea grown in Kenya.”

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.