Sustainable air travel: Could long-haul flights ever go green?

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), aviation is responsible for 3 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. This may not seem like a lot, but while most economic sectors are shrinking their carbon footprint, aviation’s is rising. Without significant action, the contribution to global emissions could soar to 22 per cent by 2050 as passenger numbers rise.

In 2021, global airlines, convened by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), committed to reversing this trend to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. While greener air travel is possible, it will be a challenging task, particularly at a time when airlines are still reeling from the financial losses they have incurred during the pandemic.

Perhaps the most straightforward path to greener flights and more sustainable air travel is to swap out traditional kerosene jet fuel for environmentally friendly alternatives, known as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). SAFs are produced using cooking oil, household waste or plant matter, and can be blended in with kerosene to fuel existing planes without modifying their engines. Once you factor in production and transport, the use of SAFs can lead to 80 per cent less carbon emissions than the use of kerosene in a single flight.

Figures produced by the IATA show that almost 400,000 flights to date have already been powered by SAF. In 2021, 100 million litres of fuel were produced. The catch? Sustainable fuels currently account for just 0.1 per cent of global consumption, and typically cost three times more than conventional fuels. Although production is ramping up, there is still a long way to go.

In time, and with enough government support, the IATA estimates that more widespread use of SAFs could enable a 65 per cent cut in aviation’s overall emissions, but they are just one piece of the puzzle.

Going electric is an obvious route to making more sustainable air travel. With an increasing proportion of electricity coming from low-carbon sources such as wind or solar power, electric vehicles can dramatically cut the carbon emissions linked to travel. But electric planes face one considerable hurdle: weight. While a kilogram of jet fuel packs away 12,000Wh of energy, a lithium-iron battery only manages 250Wh per kilogram.

What’s more, while a traditional plane gets lighter as it burns up its fuel, batteries offer no such savings. This makes electric long-haul flights a non-starter for the foreseeable future – any plane with sufficient battery power for long-haul flights would simply be too heavy to take to the skies.

Instead, a raft of companies are focusing on smaller planes that could travel on shorter routes, or hybrid models where electricity complements a traditional engine. Budget airline EasyJet, for example, is currently developing a fully electric plane capable of carrying 186 passengers, which it hopes could cover short routes such as London to Amsterdam from 2030.

Elsewhere, hydrogen has been heralded as the clean energy source of the future, with its combustion releasing only water vapour. Hydrogen aircraft can either burn hydrogen directly as a fuel or use it to generate electricity using hydrogen fuel cells. In 2020, ZeroAvia retrofitted a six-seater plane and flew the first passenger flight powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

But hydrogen comes with its own set of challenges. Although by weight, hydrogen holds more energy than jet fuel, it takes up a much larger volume, even when cooled into a liquid state. To generate the same amount of power as a standard plane, a hydrogen jet would need a fuel tank four times the size, leaving less space for passengers or freight.

Additionally, although hydrogen can be produced with near-zero emissions, the majority of hydrogen used today is derived from natural gas, using a process that releases carbon dioxide. The success of hydrogen-powered flight would also be reliant on developing a ‘hydrogen economy’: the wide-ranging global infrastructure required for hydrogen to be produced cleanly, stored and transported around the world.

Source: Science Focus

Dubai Expo: Chance for change in Middle East and North Africa

As Dubai’s Expo 2020 draws to a close in March, many national pavilions are starting to ponder the impact of the world fair beyond its six-month run.

This is the first time a world fair has been held in the Middle East and North Africa, and with similar events having heralded great shifts in technological advancement, improved international relations, and increased trade, culture and tourism, many hope the current exhibit will also positively impact the MENA region.

Expo 2020 – which was delayed because of COVID-19 and opened in October 2021 – gathers 192 participating countries, each with their own custom-built pavilion showcasing their innovations, cultures and aims for the future, in a sprawling complex designed to fascinate visitors. For MENA participants, it is a golden opportunity to drum up interest in their countries.

“This event is a major catalyst for Dubai and the UAE. It has come at the right moment to set the tone for economic recovery and create a positive environment for businesses to thrive,” the senior vice president of political affairs at Expo 2020, Maha Al Gargawi, told Al Jazeera.

“Expo 2020 has put a special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises, fully understanding that they are key to future growth and job creation in the UAE. To that end, we have committed 20 percent of direct and indirect spending to SMEs.”

Expo 2020 is “constantly spotlighting breakthrough ideas, innovations and technologies that are shaping the future of our planet, helping to spark the next generation of technology”, she added.

“From harnessing volcanic energy to conserving marine life with the help of a robotic baby penguin, or paving the way to a plastic-free world, there’s a lot to learn and discover from some unexpected places.”

At the UAE Pavilion – a three-story marvel built in the shape of a falcon’s wings – visitors are guided through the emirate’s past, present and its aspirations for the future.

Much of the experience is focused on putting forward their traditions and culture to inform visitors, but the final section – The Dreamers Who Do – is aimed at attracting people to move to or work with the UAE.

By hosting co-creation opportunities with Expo and pavilion stakeholders, they seek to encourage local and global stakeholders to collaborate on social, diplomatic and philanthropic initiatives.

“The UAE Pavilion is really about the human capacity for innovation and personal achievements of all these people who came together and built this country from the ground up,” UAE Pavilion protocol relations manager Nasser al-Shukaili told Al Jazeera.

“The UAE is not just the Emirati people, but the [8.84 million] foreigners who now call the UAE their home. We’re putting forward the UAE’s openness and readiness to welcome new people, from all races, religions and cultures, and what opportunities are available for them to come find success here.

“We have leadership, space, resources and the ability to create everything and anything, but are waiting for new ‘dreamers’ to come and partner with us,” he added.

“The UAE has a lot of capabilities, but we need the ideas and innovators; the people to come and realise them, so we’re showing visitors how people around the world are living in the UAE and what they could achieve if they came, too.”

With more than 80 percent of the UAE’s population not Emirati, they rely on foreigners immigrating there. As their ambitions grow, more people will be needed to realise large-scale projects, and Expo could be the catalyst for many to make the move.

For Qatar, Expo is a chance to boost tourism to business possibilities, in line with Doha’s National Vision 2030 plan. The pavilion, shaped like a dhow sailboat, promotes its aim of sustainable development and providing a high standard of living for its population.

“Qatar’s participation reflects the country’s aim to foster the development of a future where people, society, and environment are nurtured to achieve their potential,” Qatar Pavilion’s general commissioner Nasser bin Mohammed Almuhannadi said.

“Expo offers Qatar a platform through which the country can strengthen commercial, industrial, and investment cooperation relations with the various participating countries. In turn, this will contribute to supporting the industry, trade, and tourism sectors for further economic development.”

With 800,000 visitors entering the Qatar Pavilion so far and the World Cup set for December, there are many prospective clients for Qatari businesses.

Unlike most pavilions, the Lebanon Pavilion is not nationally funded or run, and was put together in two months after the UAE donated the structure, in solidarity with the crisis-stricken country.

Their participation at Expo offers direct contact with potential tourists, investors and Lebanese in diaspora wishing to support their homeland, bringing in foreign currency – a scarce resource after the devaluation of the Lebanese pound.

“Our goal is to promote everything, and anything made in Lebanon,” Lebanon Pavilion assistant director Khouloud Ezzeddine told Al Jazeera.

“[We] show the beauty of Lebanon to support tourism, from landscapes scenery from the mountains to our beaches, to our amazing food or luxury fashion like from Elie Saab.

“Our concept store features 47 Lebanese brands, which we’re putting forward for the Expo audience, firstly for their brand recognition and secondly to get the word out to support them financially,” she added.

“Then, there’s the business and innovation centre, so we can promote Lebanese intellects and minds, or fresh grads looking for work, to connect them to companies outside of Lebanon.”

Ezzeddine shared that they were able to help sign a number of contracts between Lebanese companies and partners or investors in Asia. For Lebanese startups or businesses fallen on hard times because of the economic crisis, such deals could be a lifeline.

According to an independent economic study requested by Dubai authorities, Ernst & Young expects Expo to have generated 905,200 jobs in the region and boosted the UAE economy overall by $33.4bn by 2031.

When Expo closes next month, an estimated 25 million people will have visited and participated in its programmes – all of whom will have exchanged knowledge, culture and business in some form – and contributed to the region’s future development.

Source: Al Jazeera

EU advises further relaxing travel rules for foreigners

European Union member countries agreed today that they should further facilitate tourist travel into the 27-nation bloc for people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from COVID-19.

The European Council is recommending that EU nations next month lift all testing and quarantine requirements for people who received vaccines authorized in the EU or approved by the World Health Organization.

Individuals who received the last dose of their primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival, or who have received a booster dose, would be eligible along with those who recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days of travel.

The EU’s executive commission welcomed the non-binding guidance, which also makes clear that no test or additional requirements should be applied to children under 6 who are traveling with an adult.

“The updates will further facilitate travel from outside the EU into the EU, and take into account the evolution of the pandemic, the increasing vaccination uptake worldwide and the administration of booster doses,” the European Commission said.

Travelers who received vaccines that were approved by WHO but are not authorized for use in the EU may still be asked to present a negative PCR test or to quarantine, the European Council said.

So far, the EU has authorized the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax.

Source: Tribune Chronical

Ukraine closes airspace, Kyiv airport seized by Russia

Ukraine announced the closure of its airspace for civil aviation on February 24, 2022, after Russia launched an invasion of the country. Several civilian airports, including Kyiv-Boryspil International Airport, were attacked.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure announced the closure of airspace citing “a high-security risk” in a statement on its website. 

Commercial flights were also canceled in Russian cities located near Ukraine or on the shores of the Black Sea, including Rostov-on-the-Don, and Sochi.

In a surprise speech on Russian television early on February 24, 2022, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would carry out a “special military operation” in the separatist region of Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Hours later, attacks were reported all around Ukraine, including in Kyiv. The Ukrainian border guard reported a ground invasion from Belarus, 235 kilometers north of Ukraine’s capital.

In Kyiv, the first reports of explosions came from Boryspil International Airport (KBP), the country’s main airport. Unconfirmed footage shared on social media shows the airport burning.

“The airport is closed, all passengers at the airport have been evacuated, and the runway is blocked,” Boryspil International Airport reported on its Facebook page.

The Russian Defense Ministry, quoted by Russian news agencies, reported having destroyed the military airbases and the air defense installations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency advised air operators to “exercise extreme caution and avoid using the airspace within 100 nautical miles [185 kilometers – ed. note] of the Bielorussian and Russia-Ukraine border.”

Source: Aerotime hub

Kenya Airways sets 2025 flying taxis launch date

Kenya Airways will pilot electric vehicles that take off and land vertically to beat traffic from 2025 as part of the airline’s diversification through its new subsidiary Fahari Aviation.

The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is a new technology that uses electricity to hover, take off, and land vertically, making it easier to move within cities while avoiding traffic jams.

The airline’s CEO Allan Kilavuka said testing will start in 2025 as part of the strategy to adopt new technologies as a growth strategy.

The national carrier launched the Fahari subsidiary, targeting new forms of revenues through training course for those interested in operating drones for surveillance and agricultural support.

“We are working on a future, 2025 onwards to see how we can support urban mobility,” Mr Kilavuka said.

The electric aircraft is emerging as the solution to navigating busy urban area transportation and has attracted global airlines in the race to secure new revenue streams.

Many aircraft concepts are being mobilised for urban taxi services, parcels delivery, medical assistance and recreation with minimal military use.

Vertical Aerospace announced pre-orders for 1,000 aircraft in June 2021, including from American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and planes lessor, Avalon Holdings.

The Embraer spinoff Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions has signed contracts with 17 companies for 1,735 orders of its aircraft, valued at $5 billion (Sh568 billion) as of January 2022.

Eve has also signed a deal with Kenya Airways to develop operational models for urban air mobility through Fahari Aviation.

Under the agreement, Eve will work with Fahari to establish its mobility network and the required urban air traffic management procedures and operating environment.

Meanwhile, Fahari will support Eve’s aircraft and product development process, which will help guide the integration of Kenya Airways’ overall operations.

Source: Business Daily

Gov’t concludes 51% sale of South African Airways

The South African government has concluded and signed a sales and purchase agreement for the sale of 51% of South African Airways with its preferred strategic equity partner, the Takatso Consortium, according to an announcement by the Ministry in the Presidency following a Cabinet meeting on February 23.

“The next step involves the approval of this transaction by various regulatory bodies,” it said in a statement.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), SAA’s shareholder representative, had been locked in negotiations with Takatso for months, but aims to finalise the partial sale of the loss-making national carrier in early 2022, according to National Treasury’s 2022 Budget Review, also tabled on February 23. The terms of the sales agreement were not disclosed, but Takatso is to inject ZAR3 billion (USD196 million) in operational cash, while the government funds are to be used to settle SAA’s historical debts.

Takatso is a joint venture between asset fund manager Harith General Partners, the majority shareholder in the SAA transaction, and ACMI specialist Global Aviation Operations (GE, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo). “The Takatso deal is progressing well,” the DPE spokesman confirmed to ch-aviation.

Meanwhile, the government will pump another ZAR1.8 billion rands (USD119.3 million) into SAA during 2022/2023 despite the carrier continuing to rack up losses since resuming operations on September 1 last year.

By December 31, 2021, it had operated a total of 1,023 domestic and regional flights. Within those four months, it had also incurred a ZAR2.7 billion (USD179 million) loss against a budgeted deficit of ZAR2.3 billion (USD152 million), according to a National Treasury briefing to Parliamentary on February 15.

The latest financial support represents the balance of ZAR16.4 billion (USD1 billion) set aside for SAA in the 2020 Budget Review to settle state‐guaranteed debt and interest costs.

“To date, Government has paid ZAR14.6 billion (USD967.5 million) of this amount, with the remaining ZAR1.8 billion to be paid in 2022/23,” according to the government’s 2022 Budget Review tabled on February 23.

An additional ZAR10.5 billion (USD695.8 million) was allocated to SAA in 2020/2021 for the implementation of its business rescue plan. Of this, ZAR2.7 billion (USD179 million) was diverted to its subsidiaries in terms of a special appropriation bill in 2021.

Further state support of ZAR3.5 billion (USD232 million) is required over the next three years to implement the business rescue plan – as outlined in an interim business plan in June 2021 – but still needs to be approved. “Government will honour its commitment to implement the SAA business rescue plan,” a DPE spokesman told ch-aviation.

SAA intends to introduce long‐haul routes in the second half of 2022. The flag carrier resumed limited commercial operations in September 2021 in line with plans for a conservative re-entry into domestic and regional markets following a protracted business rescue process started on December 5, 2019, following years of continuous losses.

While in business rescue, SAA defaulted on ZAR890 million (USD.58.5 million) of revenue owed to former franchise partner Airlink (South Africa). It still owes Comair (South Africa) ZAR750 million (USD49.5 million) as part of a SA Competitions Tribunal settlement.

Harith General Partners – the majority shareholder in the Takatso Consortium which has been leading the negotiations with the government – is 30% owned by South Africa’s state-owned Public Investment Corporation (PIC). It manages the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), which continues to be “well funded and financially sound”, according to the 2022 Budget Review. “At the end of March 2021, the GEPF had a net cash flow position of ZAR34 billion (USD2.2 billion),” the document states.

Delivering his 2022 Budget Speech in Parliament on February 23, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana did not mention any allocation to SAA but warned of “tough love” for state-owned companies going forward. He said the future of state-owned companies was under review by a Presidential State-Owned Enterprises Council. “Their future will be informed by the value they create and whether they can be run as sustainable entities without bailouts from the Fiscus.”

“Some state-owned companies will be retained, while others will be rationalised or consolidated. To reduce their continuing demands on South Africa’s public resources, the National Treasury will outline the criteria for government funding of state‐owned companies during the upcoming financial year,” he said.

Source: Ch-Aviation

One runway returns to haunt JKIA as Fly 540 plane stalls

More than 15 flights were on Wednesday night redirected from Kenya’s main airport to as far as Dar es Salaam after a plane stalled, putting its single runway under the spotlight.

The incident, which started at 5 pm, caused a four-hour delay in landings and takeoffs.

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) says nine flights that were due to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were diverted to Mombasa, three to Kilimanjaro, two to Entebbe and one to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar.

The aviation agency says four more aircraft that were due for departure to different destinations were also delayed.

The delays were occasioned when an aircraft belonging to Fly 540 developed a mechanical hitch on the front wheel, hampering all the activities on the airside.

The incident will lead to hotel booking refunds for affected passengers who were on transit and could have missed their flights following the incident.

KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe said several attempts by engineering teams from different airlines to remove the stuck aircraft on the runway faced challenges as they were keen not to damage the nose wheel, which had malfunctioned.

“Several attempts to remove the aircraft by engineers was challenging, taking into account the need to avoid breakage of the nose wheel. It took four hours 30 minutes to remove the aircraft and resume normal operations,” said Mr Kibe.

This is just one of the many incidents that have seen flights at JKIA diverted to other airports following paralysis caused by a disabled aircraft on the runway.

In 2018, The Phoenix plane that was flying from Ukunda, Kwale County, developed a mechanical problem on the runway on JKIA following issues with its landing gear, causing a major delay that saw several flights diverted to other airports.

Kenya was supposed to expand the airport with the construction of the Green Field Terminal. However, the plans were cancelled by Transport Cabinet secretary James Macharia.

The JKIA runway is 4,117 metres long and 45 metres wide with 15 metres paved shoulders, making it a code E runway that can handle wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing B747.

JKIA was built in the 1970s to handle 2.5 million passengers annually but is struggling to handle more than six million people a year as its regional importance grows.

Source: Business Daily

Kenya Airways Is Optimistic About Its 2022 Revenues

With many countries beginning to ease their travel restrictions, airlines are eyeing 2022 as a year for recovery. Kenya Airways is once such carrier, with the Nairobi-based operator projecting a notable rise in passenger revenues this year. The airline is hoping for a busy summer despite the uncertainty of an upcoming election.

Revenues up by a fifth

Speaking to Reuters, Kenya Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Allan Kilavuka, explained that the airline’s worst days in the coronavirus pandemic are likely behind it. He stated that “we have been through the worst patch,” with this likely referring to the early months of the crisis. Indeed, Reuters notes that, during 2020, revenues at the Kenyan flag carrier halved. Since then, it has been on the comeback trail.

While 2020 was the most challenging year for Kenya Airways during the present pandemic, it still faced challenges in 2021. Despite a 21% growth in passenger revenue last year, which narrowed its losses by a fifth, the national airline also lost 11.5 billion Kenyan Shillings ($101 million) in the first six months of 2021.

Moving into 2022, Kilavuka foresees calmer skies for Africa’s only SkyTeam alliance member. He explained to Reuters that he expects passenger revenues to rise by a further 20% this year. This will help establish a consistent recovery path away from the chaos of 2020. However, the projection is dependent on certain factors.

Relying on a consistent market

One of the primary areas of financial concern for airlines amid the present crisis has been the difficulty in adapting to ever-changing travel restrictions. With these regulations liable to sudden changes, it can be hard for airlines to make economic plans with much certainty. Equally, it can take time to respond to positive changes.

With this in mind, Reuters notes that a consistent market will play a key role in enabling Kenya Airways‘ positive revenue projections. Indeed, its CEO told the agency that the forecast “is dependent on no further travel disruption or restrictions caused by any new coronavirus variants.” This, of course, remains to be seen.

For the country of Kenya itself, there is also the small matter of a general election to contend with this year, on August 9th. Kilavuka hopes that the election will be a peaceful occasion, given that the peak summer season has seen ‘promising’ booking levels. However, violence has marred two of the country’s last three elections.

Aiming to return to profitability

As it looks to recover from the impacts of the early months and year of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kenya Airways’ longer-term aspirations include a return to profitability. With this in mind, it has commissioned a report from Seabury, a consulting group. Kilavuka explains that, ultimately:

“We are looking for a more efficient airline. The network should not lose money.”

This may lead to cuts in certain areas, with the CEO telling Reuters that the carrier will take “a critical look at staffing and the renegotiation of contracts with suppliers and plane leasing firms.” It will be interesting to see what comes of these efforts, and how successful Kenya Airways profitability plans will prove to be.

Source: Simple Flying

Dubai woos highly skilled Kenyans with 10-year visa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is wooing highly trained Kenyans among them doctors and scientists with a 10-year visa to support the development of its economy.

Through a plan developed in late 2021 that also targets foreigners globally, the Arab nation has set off an ambitious plan that may result in a fresh round of brain drain.

The long-term residence visa targets individuals in science and knowledge, such as doctors and inventors, nurses and healthcare officials and creatives in the fields of culture and art or those in real estate.

For investors, they must have a fund inside the UAE valued at Sh61.9 million (2 million dirhams) or more.

Entrepreneurs can build a company with capital or partner in an existing firm by giving a contribution of not less than the same amount.

The visas will allow foreigners, their family members and two of their business partners to settle in UAE and enjoy the benefits of a permanent resident.

The plan to attract top brains by the Middle- East comes as Kenya continues to export workforce into the country especially in the sectors of health care, hospitality and tourism.

The country will also be giving UAE passports under the same requirements.

Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina said that Kenyans who will benefit must satisfy immigration conditions and undertake medical tests in UAE.

“They are willing to facilitate visas for business people. They have a framework for a golden visa which is a 10-year multiple entry visa and several Kenyans have benefited from these arrangements and more could benefit,” Ms Maina said on the sidelines High-Level Business Forum in UAE held by Kenya on Tuesday.

Currently, the country issues a work visa for two years which is renewable and mostly paid for by the employer.

A survey by the Central Bank of Kenya shows that UAE is the third-largest source of remittances into the country after the US and UK.

In July, UAE announced that Kenyan small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) setting up in Dubai will get a two-year rent-free workspace in is part of a new support programme ahead of the Expo 2020 Dubai.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has also revived the discussion on the possibility of A free trade agreement (FTA) between the countries to deal away with bottlenecks around logistics and tariffs.

“We are keen on the establishment of an arrangement to simply trade between UAE and Kenya and Gulf countries,” President Uhuru said during the forum.

“I guess the simple way is an FTA and I hope it is something the countries will agree on.”

Uhuru also called for increased business partnerships in the financial service and healthcare sector.

Source: Business Daily

President Kenyatta leads Kenya national day celebrations at Expo 2020

Kenya is taking its turn in the spotlight at Expo 2020 in Dubai as the country celebrates its national day.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led a flag-raising ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza earlier this morning, with hundreds of onlookers present.

He was welcomed by sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Kenyatta said: “I wish at the onset of my remarks today to congratulate the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates for the successful and safe management of this expo.

“Organisers have effectively ensured adherence to the regulations set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“This has helped keep all those participating in this event safe, and indeed proved instructive, offering lessons, on how the world can deal with any such eventuality in the future.”

Each national day is dedicated to a participating country, with a cultural showcase on offer to guests.

Kenya will also seek to bolster business opportunities and foster partnerships between local and international investors.

Kenyatta added: “Kenya is very keen and strengthen existing relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – and, indeed, with all participants of this expo.

“We seek to harness the opportunities offered by this expo to build new business relationships, new investments, but also to bring tourists to enjoy Kenya and its renowned attractions.”

He continued: “Today, I invite all of you to visit our exhibition, to sample the goods and services on offer, and to participate in the esteemed tourism promotion event we are offering.

“Kenya is becoming a newly-industrialising, middle-income country, providing a high quality of life to all our citizens, as set out in the Kenya 2030 agenda.

“Trade and investment, as well as strong relationships with the private sector, are key to realising this mission.

“It is against this backdrop that we seek to increase trade with the GCC and partners across the Middle East.”

Expo 2020 visitors can today also enjoy a spectacular and colourful live performance of the traditional music and dance of Kenya.

Performed by the celebrated national dance company, the dance troupe will showcase the beauty and diversity of traditional Kenyan music.

Kenyatta concluded: “As a country, we are in a strong position – Kenya is without doubt the largest economy in eastern Africa, it is the business hub for the region, a trade and logistic facility for the surrounding eleven countries.

“Further, Kenya enjoys economic stability, we are a fully-liberalised economy, with a large domestic consumer market, and access to our most important asset, which is a youthful, educated population.

“These attributes have made Kenya the destination of choice for many multi-national companies, and a destination of choice for foreign direct investment in our region.

“In the spirit of our vision for 2030, we are here to promote business-to-business partnerships, and to establish links between public and private sector institutions.”

Source: Breaking Travel News