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Riyadh-Saudi Arabia , March 31, 2007

President Mwai Kibaki in discussion with the Minister for Finance and Chairman of Saudi Fund, Hon. Ibrahim Al Asaf when he paid him a courtesy call at his residential hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia to fund projects in Kenya

The government's of Kenya and Saudi Arabia today agreed that the establishment of a University at the coast province and the construction of Garissa Modogashe-Wajir Road were priority projects in the two nation`s bilateral relations
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At a meeting with Hon Ibrahim Al Saf the Saudi Minister of Finance and chairman of the Saudi Fund, President Mwai Kibaki noted that the projects had also been prioritized by the people of the coast and north eastern provinces.

The two governments also agreed to fast track construction of the Garissa-Wajir road with Kenya providing its commitment of 5 million US dollars while the balance will be provided by the Saudi government.

Other priority projects include Ongata Rongai water and sanitation, the rehabilitation of schools with an emphasis on establishment of a model school in each province. In health, Saudi Arabia will also help in the rehabilitation of Wajir distict hospital while Kenyatt National Hospital will benefit from the construction and rehabilitation of the burns unit and the pediatric emergency unit.

The government of Saudi Arabia will also convene a meeting of key development partners in the middle East including those drawn from the Saudi Fund, Kuwait Fund and BADEA to seek ways of establishing a strong consortium for funding projects in Kenya.

The Finance Minister welcomed the new development commitments by Kenya noting that the government President Kibaki has shown its dedication to developing areas that had previously been marginalized and neglected.

President Kibaki noted that Mombasa as the second largest city deserved to have fully fledged University.

At another meeting, President Kibaki held talks with the Governor of Riyadh Salman Bin Adulaziz at the governors palace.
The governor said he would spearhead a campaign to promote investment by Saudi Arabia businessmen in Kenya.

President Kibaki welcomed more tourists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia noting that Kenya had well developed tourist facilities.

The president noted that there was great potential for investments in the tourism sector and value addition in the agricultural sectors.

The head of state also welcomed the renewed interest in the purchase of Kenyan agricultural products in Saudi Arabia.
The governor of Riyadh also hailed Kenya`s role in brokering peace in Somalia and Sudan and for spearheading international efforts for reconstruction the two countries.

President Kibaki said pecae in the two nations was crucial for the stability of the region.

Present during the meetings were Foreign Affairs Minister Rapahel Tuju, Regional Development Authorities Minister Mohamed A. Mohamud, assistant minister for livestock and fisheries Abu Chiaba and Assistant Minister for Finance Peter Kenneth.