Kenya and EU begin implementing EPA trade deal

Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry Salim Mvurya inaugurated an information workshop on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Kenya and the European Union (EU) in Nairobi.

The workshop aims to create an operational framework for the implementation of the landmark economic agreement between Kenya and the EU.

“Today, after several years of work to achieve a permanent agreement between us, we have managed to sign and ratify the agreement and are finally ready to move to the implementation phase,” said CS Mvurya at the inauguration of the workshop together with the EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger

CS Mvurya emphasised that this impressive partnership will create sustainable trade opportunities, offering huge potential to Kenyan exporters in a market worth N13 trillion.

The agreement will expand supply relations, facilitate duty-free and quota-free access to EU markets and increase investment opportunities not only for Kenya but also for the rest of the world.
Africa.

The Kenyan Government is committed to working closely with the private sector to identify market opportunities, finance trade and add value to Kenyan products to ensure they are sustainable and meet appropriate standards when they are introduced to the 27 European markets.

“This union will provide the necessary support we need
“through the institutional framework established to ensure the successful implementation of the Agreement,” Mvurya noted.

He also called on the EU to work with Kenya in negotiating a protocol on trade in services that would allow Kenyan professionals to access a wider niche market.

“After the review, engineers, doctors, nurses, environmental technicians, clinical technicians, people working in finance, accounting, performing arts, music, theatre and many other service sectors will be able to enjoy a larger and freer service market between Europe and Kenya,” Mvurya added.

CS Mvurya also encouraged micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the public and private sectors to capitalise on the opportunities created by the agreement by delivering high-value and highest quality products to global markets.

“We can’t wait to put more money in our customers’ pockets”
“Our small farmers, technicians, assembly line workers, truck drivers and farm workers are just as excited about creating opportunities for large businesses,” he said.

EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, accompanied by EU Trade Director Dora Correia, as well as key EU stakeholders, praised the significant progress made towards implementing the agreement, calling for better and more open knowledge of it across the country.

“The agreement will provide larger, more secure markets, support regional integration, stimulate industrialization, promote shared values ​​and facilitate trade,” she reiterated.

Predictable market access would strengthen sustainable investment relations as the government uses the leverage to open more economic sectors in the European Union. As a result, the combination of Kenyan and European expertise will promote the manufacturing sector, taking advantage of opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).