"I have conveyed Indonesia's commitment through Indonesian Aid to Kenya in the fields of health, food security, and disaster mitigation. This commitment will be further strengthened, especially in Kenya's priority sectors," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced on Monday.
During a joint press statement with Kenyan President William Ruto, which was broadcast online, Jokowi stated that the cooperation would be carried out between Indonesia's National Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the Kenyan Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
Regarding vaccines and pharmaceutical products, the cooperation will involve Indonesia's state-owned pharmaceutical holding company, Bio Farma, and Kenya's Biovax with Generics Africa Ltd.
Meanwhile, Ruto reported that BPOM and PPB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this cooperation.
This bilateral collaboration will enhance the promotion, development, and implementation of pharmaceutical product regulation, he added.
Ruto also mentioned that Indonesia and Kenya have signed an agreement for the transfer of technology and the marketing of Bio Farma's vaccines in Kenya.
Bio Farma will manufacture vaccines in Kenya because of its strategic location and its status as a commodity hub with high economic value.
In its statement, Bio Farma described Kenya as a commodity hub that can reach over 300 million people in neighboring countries, including Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Congo.
This cooperation follows the outcomes of a meeting that took place on July 14, 2023, in Nairobi between Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Kenyan Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kiarie Kuria.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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