ISLAMABAD, July 31: Pakistan and Kenya have signed two Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Information Technology and Tourism.

According to an official announcement issued by the commerce ministry here on Saturday said that the two countries pledged to cooperate in the field of agriculture, information technology, tourism and facilitate the businessmen of each other country for doing business by easing of visa restrictions and issuance of work permits.

A joint communique was issued on the occasion of the concluding session of the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission held in Nairobi from July 29-30, 2004. The commerce minister of Pakistan and the Foreign Minister of Kenya reviewed issues relating to regional and global security and intelligence and agreed to explore the possibility of concluding an extradition treaty between the two countries.

The commerce minister also met the vice-president of Kenya. They discussed the regional and international security situation and expressed their satisfaction on the ongoing cooperation between the two countries on the matters of security.

The vice-president of Kenya promised to facilitate travelling by Pakistani businessmen to Kenya and recognized the strategic importance of bilateral trade relations, Pakistan being the largest buyer of Kenyan tea.

The Kenyan Chapter of the Joint Business Council was formally launched on July 30, 2004.

The commerce minister stressed upon the Kenyan government for negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Pakistan, as it was important for further promotion of trade between the two countries.

He also assured the Kenyan government in his meeting with the vice-president of Kenya that the Free Trade Agreement signed with Sri Lanka would not have negative impact on the import of Kenyan Tea.

Mr Khan expressed the hope that the proposed scheme of establishment of a warehouse in Kenya would be implemented soon with the assistance of the Kenyan government.

The minister also visited the Chinese Trade Centre in Kenya in order to evaluate the prospects of establishment of Pakistan warehouse and display centre in Kenya.