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{
    "id": 1115263,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1115263/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 347,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Pokot South, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Pkosing",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2662,
        "legal_name": "Losiakou David Pkosing",
        "slug": "losiakou-david-pkosing"
    },
    "content": "(3) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to confer on the designated airlines of one party the rights of taking on board passengers, cargo and mail carried for hire or reward between points in the territories. This agreement was negotiated as the earlier ones I presented. But allow me to highlight the process that it went through. This is also captured in our Report. This Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Kenya and the Russian Federation was negotiated and initialed on 22nd October 2015. It was operationalised by the signing of the Protocol on the same date. The Agreement was subsequently approved by the Cabinet during the Second Meeting of 2020 held on 19th March 2020. Further, the Agreement provides for multiple designation of airlines, unlimited number of frequencies, no restriction on aircraft capacity and an open and liberal route schedule. Exercise of the fifth freedom of traffic rights is subject to approval by the respective aeronautical authorities. Without belabouring the point, I want to conclude this by saying a few things. We do not have a direct airline between Kenya and Russia. Russia is a very interesting country. I have never been there, but I have read that it is one of the most beautiful countries in terms of traffic and tourism. When you watch one of their programmes on television, you will see that it is actually one of the most beautiful countries. Therefore, this agreement might open a greater opportunity in terms of tourism. Above all, and more importantly, we have our flowers and agricultural products. Mostly, we take them to Europe. With Kenya Airways flying to America, we are offered another opportunity in Russia. I have also been informed that people who appreciate each other in terms of making friendships across the board and between women and men, it is Russia that leads. Therefore, our flowers might be the most wanted in Russia. So, if we get this approval, I am certain that the flower industry will flourish. I am told Russians look for flowers like nobody’s business. They buy flowers in Europe where Kenyan flowers might be rebranded as coming from other countries. When the Russians get the flowers from Nairobi, because we will allow their airlines to carry cargo and parcels, it will be better. The majority of the cargo will be flowers. We will open up our country for business opportunities. Russia holds one of our biggest contingents of students. But they go through different countries in Europe, mostly through Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Dubai. With the opportunity that my Committee urges this Parliament to agree with, Kenya Airways can schedule flights to any place in Russia. That will benefit our students. It will be an opportunity for KQ to venture into new business in Eastern Europe. Let me not belabour the point, because we seek the same approval as the previous ones. With those few remarks, I ask the House to agree with us and approve this Report and ratify the Agreement. I ask Hon. Shadrack Mose, a member of the Committee, to second, with your permission. I thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}