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- Dubai 04:14 05:35 12:18 15:44 18:56 20:17
UAE's MoFA is planning 18 other centres in 2015. (File)
Abdul Razzak Mohammed Hadi, UAE's Ambassador to Kenya, has inaugurated the UAE's consular section and the third visa issuing centre outside the Emirates.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amina Mohamed Jibril, and a number of senior Kenyan officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Hadi expressed appreciation of the constructive and fruitful efforts made to promote UAE-Kenyan bilateral relations now growing in various spheres.
He also stressed that the opening of the consular section and the third overseas visa issuing centre is aimed at enhancing the cooperation relations regarding consular affairs, improving customer service and facilitating the entry of workers into the UAE through eGates at entry points.
Ahmed Elham Al Dhaheri, Director of Consular Services at the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the new visa centre serves 250 customers a day and uses passport authentication and biometrics such as fingerprints, iris scanning and faceprints, and medical tests conducted at 55 medical centres accredited by the UAE's Ministry of Health, in order to identity and prevent entry of individuals with any contagious disease.
The procedures, he noted, will save costs in recruitment, quarantine and deportation and improve customer service as they are aimed at providing excellent consular services fulfilling internationally recognised standards.
Al Dhaheri noted that the UAE's MoFA is planning 18 other centres in 2015
The UAE Ambassador also noted that the procedures at the visa issuing centre comply with the relevant internationally-recognised standards.
On her part, Kenyan Minister described the opening of the centre as a historic moment in the relationship of the two countries.
She expressed her appreciation of "The UAE's positive initiative that is not unusual for the UAE with which we have long-standing and close bilateral relations."
She also hailed the system used in the visa issuing centre as one of the most efficient in the world since it saves time in processing the visa application.
The Kenyan minister thanked the UAE for its regional and international stances and for its friendly support to Kenya. She expressed her hope for closer bilateral relations in the future.
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