By PSCU
France values Kenya as a strategic, economic, diplomatic and development partner in the region, the incoming French Ambassador to Kenya, Antoine Sivan, has said.
The French diplomat said France is proud of its “privileged dialogue and relations with Kenya” – one of the key players in Africa.
“We are both committed to a strong economic partnership and close political engagement for peace and stability in the region of the great Eastern Africa,” he said.
Sivan was speaking as when he presented his credentials to President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi on Friday.
He assured that France stands by Kenya and its neighbours in their efforts to ensure regional peace and security, especially in Somalia and South Sudan.
He said a dynamic relationship exists between the two countries with more than 70 French companies currently operating in Kenya, including the Peugeot Group which resumed assembling of passenger vehicles early this month.
“The turnover of the 70 companies amounts to more than Sh250 billion and they directly employ more than 10,000 Kenyans,” the French envoy said.
President Uhuru also received credentials from five other envoys including Mohamed Abdulghani Khayat of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ernesto Gomez Diaz of Cuba, Agrina Mussa of Malawi, Slaiman Arabiat of Jordan and El Mokhtar Ghambou of Morocco.
