The Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, will next week lead a delegation to Kenya and Rwanda to strengthen the island’s links with East Africa.
Senator Gorst previously visited both countries last year, and this latest trip to Kenya is the culmination of several years’ work to develop a series of bilateral agreements. There will be a number of signing ceremonies with senior Kenyan officials to formalise these agreements, which seek to develop Jersey’s existing relationship with Kenya.
During his visit, Senator Gorst will host a roundtable discussion with key figures from Kenya’s financial services and will open up negotiations on a potential Jersey-Kenya Double Taxation Agreement.
Senator Gorst said: “Jersey has a maturing political relationship with the Government of Kenya as well as longstanding commercial ties. This visit seeks to progress the political, commercial and judicial co-operation objectives that have developed between Jersey and Kenya. It combines a range of commercial, governmental and strategic policy objectives – reflecting the depth and breadth of the relationship established between Jersey and Kenya.”
In Rwanda, Senator Gorst will develop political connections with the government’s key decision makers, and will hold ministerial-level discussions on a Jersey-Rwanda Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Following news in April that Rwanda has been selected to host the next the next Commonwealth Summit in 2020, Senator Gorst will offer Jersey’s support in the run-up to the event, including Jersey’s participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum.
“Jersey continues to provide high-level advice on Rwanda’s strategy for developing an international finance centre,” said Senator Gorst. “We hope to secure Jersey’s participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum in 2020 and sustain strong working relationships with the British High Commission in Rwanda.”
States of Jersey Press Release.