The government and the European Union will jointly hold roadshows and workshops to sensitise Kenyans on job opportunities presented by the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, and EU ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, said the meetings mark the beginning of the implementation phase of the trade pact.
“We will be moving to different parts of the country to bring to speed the different players in this agreement,” Mvurya said.
The CS noted that with the agreement, Kenyan exporters will now be able to plan for the long term, with the knowledge that the terms for accessing the European market are predictable.
“Kenyan exporters will enjoy immediate duty free, quota-free access to this market,” he said.
Geiger said the sensitisation campaign will target agricultural producers, importers and exporters, the civil society and the media.
“The EU delegation in Kenyan will work with the government to bring to life this agreement. We will support full implementation of the agreement,” she said.
Mvurya and Geiger made the remarks on Friday at Strathmore University, Nairobi, during an EU-Kenya EPA sensitisation workshop.
Present at the workshop included Chief EU negotiator, Dora Correia; Trade Principal Secretary, Alfred K’Ombundo; Kenya Flower Council CEO, Clement Tulezi; Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya CEO Hosea Machuki and Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Anthony Mwangi.
Correia said the agreement has made trade between Kenya and the EU more predictable.
“Predictability will lead to more Foreign Direct Investments. It is important to note that Foreign Direct Investments is 27 per cent higher for countries which have an agreement with us,” she said.
The Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) makes access to the 27 country, €14 trillion (Sh2 quadrillion) European market a permanent agreement, replacing the temporary market access instrument advanced by the EU during the period of negotiations.
Geiger said the economic agreement presents Kenya and the EU a historic moment in trade relations. “Let us all roll up our sleeves and get to work,” she said.
Mvurya added that through the agreement, Kenya will be signaling to the world that it is prepared to supply high value, premium manufactured products to Europe and to the world.
“In our strategy for implementation of the Kenya-EU EPA, we will work closely with the private sector so that they can identify markets, finance trade, add value to their products and produce sustainably, with regard to a high standard for environment and labour.”
The CS urged the EU to negotiate a Trade-in Services protocol with Kenya so that engineers, doctors, nurses, environmental technicians, clinical technicians, those in finance, accounting, the performing arts, music, and others can equally enjoy a bigger and freer market.
