NAIROBI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset on Monday began a two-day official visit to Kenya seeking to promote bilateral ties between the two countries.

Kenya's State House said President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Swiss counterpart will join their respective delegations for bilateral talks focused on a wide array of issues aimed at deepening existing partnerships between the two nations.

"Kenya and Switzerland have enjoyed good relations for the last five decades since the European nation became the first country to recognize Kenya as an independent state in 1963," Kenyatta's office said.

It said the visit by the Swiss President who arrived in the country on Sunday, is further intended to identify other areas of co-operation particularly on President Kenyatta's Big 4 agenda focusing on affordable healthcare, housing, food security and manufacturing.

"The two countries have over the years partnered in areas of trade, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the development of democratic ideals, peace, and humanitarian interventions," said the presidency.

Swiss companies in the pharmaceutical sector have in recent years expressed increased interest in the Kenyan market.

While in the country, President Berset is expected to visit Kakuma refugee camp in northwest Kenya which hosts mainly refugees from South Sudan.

The Swiss Agency of Development and Co-operation has been providing refugees at the camp with livelihood skills under the Swiss Skills for Life pilot project.