Berlin, Germany | By Michael Wandati | Kenya is set to participate in the upcoming Germany Annual Citizen Festival, leveraging the event to enhance cultural relations, boost tourism, and explore new trade and investment opportunities. This will mark a historic moment, as Kenya becomes the first non-European country to take part in the “Bürgerfest” festival, scheduled for September 13th to 14th in Berlin, Germany.
Dr. Korir Sing’oei, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, hailed the event as a significant milestone in the growing partnership between Kenya and Germany, which has spanned over six decades.
Germany remains a key foreign direct investor in Kenya, with more than 100 German companies having established a presence in the country, contributing investments valued at Ksh.150 billion.
The festival also presents an opportunity to increase tourist arrivals from Germany, one of Kenya’s important source markets. In the previous financial year, Kenya welcomed 81,359 German tourists, representing a 23.2% growth compared to the 66,064 arrivals the year before.
In addition to cultural exchanges, the two countries will sign a Labour Agreement during the festival, which will facilitate the migration of skilled and technical workers from Kenya’s TVET institutions to employment opportunities in Germany.
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“Kenya is eager to participate in the Annual Citizen’s Festival, from September 13, to 14th 2024, not only to show case Kenya’s rich cultural heritage but also to engage in meaningful people-to-people contact with our German friends,” Sing’oei remarked.
Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtua echoed these sentiments, noting that the event would enhance cultural diplomacy while further strengthening the ties between Kenya and Germany.
“We want to build on this momentum and we see the Bürgerfest as an opportunity to further accelerate this growth,” said Ololtua.
