Kenya pushes US trade deal despite continental outcry
The government is pushing to secure a free trade pact ahead of the lapse of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2025, which eliminates import tariffs on goods from eligible African nations.
The country is keen to secure market for its textile exports, clothing, tea, coffee and fish. More than 70 percent of Kenya's exports are duty-free under AGOA.
"If we can only capture five percent of the US market for these products, we could increase our export revenue by more than two trillion shillings ," CS Maina sadding that the country hopes to conclude the deal within 12 months.
Kenya has assured the continent and her npartners in the East African Community that the deal, if secured, will not affect any existing trade ties.
“Proposed Free Trade Agreement talks between Ke...