By S. Retna

Nairobi, April 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) Malaysia and Kenya Wednesday signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on planning and implementation of road projects and co-operation in science and technology.

The signing was witnessed by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when they met at State House here. Abdullah arrived Tuesday for a two-day official visit, the first by a Malaysian prime minister to this East African nation.

A joint communique said the two leaders had pledged to boost the existing bilateral co-operations in their pursuit to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development.

"In this regard, it was agreed that the establishment of a Joint Commission and Trade Committee would spur business and also establish the foundation for commercial relationships," it said.

These bilateral mechanisms would provide a forum for public and private sector participation, thus opening up the gates for co-operation in information and communication technology (ICT), trade, tourism and investment, science and technology, technical assistance, human resource development and air transport, the communique said.

The two leaders have also agreed to maintain the momentum in the exchange of high-level visits to enhance mutual understanding and deepen co-operation in areas of common interest.

"The two leaders also agreed to support each other over issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity," the communique said.

Malaysia is the current chair of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference while Kenya is the head of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGASD), a grouping of East African nations, and the peace process in Somalia.

Meanwhile, Abdullah disclosed that Malaysia and Kenya had agreed in principle to establish direct air links between their capital cities, Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi.

He said the agreement was reached during a meeting between him and President Kibaki.

"If we are to boost trade and ties between the two countries, it was agreed that we would need to have direct air linkages. I spoke to the president about it and he agreed. And now we are leaving it to the respective airlines to work out some mechanism to make this a reality," he told a news conference after the Malaysia-Kenya Business Forum luncheon here.

Abdullah said he would inform Malaysia Airlines of the government's proposal and then "we would let the companies talk". It is likely that Kenya Airways, which now flies to Bangkok, would be involved in the negotiations.

"This is something we require if we want more contacts among the people and for business and joint-ventures between the two countries to flourish," he added.

"Moreover, we want more Kenyan students to come to Malaysia to further their studies. This (direct air links) would make it easier for us to attract these potential students."

Currently, there are about 600 Kenyans pursuing their studies at various public and private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.

Abdullah also announced that the proposed Malaysia-Kenya Joint Commission would meet at least once a year. The commission would be tasked with implementing and overseeing matters agreed upon by the two nations and help sort out problems that crop up from time to time.

"These can be issues pertaining to business set-ups to immigration matters. We have also agreed that our High Commissions (embassies) be used by the joint commission to settle matters instead of waiting for the annual joint commission meeting," he said.

On another matter, Abdullah said Malaysia would find a way to make it easier for Kenyans to obtain student visas. "The authorities in Kenya are concerned about the various checks and the time taken for these students to get a Malaysian visa," Abdullah added.

Later Wednesday, Abdullah attended a high tea with members of the Malaysian community in Kenya before attending a state banquet at night.

On Thursday morning, Abdullah leaves for the world famous Maasai Mara game reserve in the Serengeti plains before leaving for Namibia in the afternoon.

Abdullah is in Kenya as part of an eight-day tour of three African countries -- Sudan, Kenya and Namibia.