Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) hosted a meeting with a Kenyan agricultural delegation to explore ways for expanding cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by ICCIMA Deputy Head for International Affair Mohammad Reza Karbasi, and Caroline Gichuki, the founder and CEO of a renowned Kenyan agricultural company called Techfarm Travel Ltd.
Speaking in the meeting the two sides pointed to barter trade, extra-territorial cultivation and using the capacities of the local banks as ways for expanding the level of economic cooperation between the two countries.
“The economies of Iran and Kenya are complementary. Agriculture is Kenya's most important economic sector, and its major tea and coffee products are known around the world,” Karbasian said, adding that “Extra-territorial cultivation, the establishment of conversion industries and joint activities in the livestock and meat sector, are good investment opportunities for Iranian businessmen in this country.”
Karbasian expressed the Iranian private sector’s interest in investment in Kenya. He meanwhile stressed n that lack of banking ties and direct flights between the two countries are major hurdles in the way of expanding ties.
Karbasian put the two countries' trade in 2020 at $57 million, noting that Iran exported $50 million worth of goods to Kenya while importing $7 million from the country in the mentioned year.