Kenya set for tax free export of commodities to European Union

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Trade and Industrialization Moses Kuria says Kenyan traders are in the coming months, expected to export commodities to the European Union (EU), tax free.

In a statement on Monday, the CS said he is delighted to have signed the EU-Kenya economic partnership agreement, which marks a significant milestone for Kenya and the East African Community States.

"The agreement will also provide duty free, quota free access market for exports and certainty in the trading regime. Kenyans will be able to export their produce to the EU countries tax free," said Kuria.

The event at State House, Nairobi was attended by among others, President William Ruto and Executive Vice-President and EU Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis.

Kuria said the agreement took a record of 7 months to be concluded, after taking more than 9 years on the negotiation table, before the Kenya Kwanza administration took over.

The former Gatundu South MP said he is looking forward to both the Kenya Parliament and the European States Parliament's ratification of the agreements as signed today.

On his part, President Ruto said the deal seeks to put money in the pockets of Kenyan traders.

"This will put more money in the pockets of Kenyan traders. It anchors Kenya as a natural hub for EU products to East African States."

"Although the EU is already Kenya’s largest export destination, accounting for 21.1% of Kenya’s total exports, the Agreement we have negotiated provides significant opportunities to enhance this performance," he added.

Similarly, he said the deal assures a stable market for industrialists, mostly in the European Union.