- Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) have announced that both the countries have arrived an “agreement in principle” on the continuation of duty- and quota-free access of Kenyan exports.
- Kenya which has been allowed temporary access to the EU under special arrangement has for four years struggled to bring on board its EAC peers to sign and ratify EAC-EU.
Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) have announced that both the countries have arrived an “agreement in principle” on the continuation of duty- and quota-free access of Kenyan exports such as cut flowers and tea after the UK formally exits the 27-member European Union (EU) by the end of 2020. Such a deal is expected to lead to the signing of a long-term treaty that will shield EAC exports from tariffs.
There were initial attempts to hold the talks under the six-nation East African Community (EAC). Kenya which has been allowed temporary access to the EU under special arrangement has for four years struggled to bring onboard its EAC peers to sign and ratify EAC-EU. However, after the attempts to bring the EAC block together for negotiations failed, Kenya went ahead alone and initiated the discussions with the UK in late September. Kenya’sTrade Secretary Betty Maina said the two countries have concluded an economic partnership agreement (EPA). Speaking about the agreement, she added that the deal promises a comprehensive package of benefits that will ensure a secure, long-term and predictable market access for exports originating from the EAC Custom Union. The agreement will give Kenyan exports such as flowers and fresh produce the benefit of privileges for agricultural goods that confers originating status to EAC exports, even if they pass through EU’s 27 countries. UK’s deputy trade commissioner for Africa Rebecca Fisher-Lamb said that the deal agreed in principle remains open to other EAC countries.
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