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Tag: Henriette Geiger

  • Kenya, EU more trade opportunities

    Kenya, EU more trade opportunities

    Kenya and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to fast-tracking the implementation of the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a landmark trade pact that came into force on July 1, 2024.

    The renewed commitment was made during a courtesy call by EU Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, on the Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, where the two leaders held in-depth discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation and fully operationalizing the EPA Council.

    Ombam emphasized the urgency of activating the EPA Council — the top governing body established under the agreement — to effectively steer the agreement’s execution and maximize its benefits.

    “To achieve the full potential of this agreement, the EPA Council must be fully functional and play an active role in guiding its implementation,” said Ombam.

    Geiger echoed the PS’s sentiments, noting that the EPA reflects a shared commitment to building a stable and reliable trading framework between Kenya and the EU, especially in the context of shifting global trade dynamics.

    The Kenya-EU EPA guarantees duty-free and quota-free access for Kenyan exports to the EU market, while offering enhanced cooperation in areas such as trade in goods, investment, and the creation of new value chains. It is expected to diversify Kenya’s exports, attract foreign direct investment, and foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

    The two parties also discussed preparations for the upcoming 2nd Kenya-EU Business Forum, set to take place on Monday in Nairobi. Themed “Digitalising Trade”, the forum will bring together high-level policymakers, private sector leaders, innovators, and development partners from both sides.

    Jointly organized by the EU Delegation to Kenya, EU Member States’ embassies, and key Kenyan stakeholders, the forum will explore how digital transformation can enhance trade efficiency, expand market access, and drive inclusive development.

    The strengthened partnership between Kenya and the EU signals a pivotal moment for deepening trade ties and creating resilient, mutually beneficial economic relations.

  • EU envoy urges Kenya to diversify exports under new trade agreement

    EU envoy urges Kenya to diversify exports under new trade agreement

    The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, has urged Kenyan entrepreneurs to expand their range of export products to the EU under the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost profits.

    While noting that Kenya primarily exports horticultural products such as flowers and vegetables, Geiger emphasized the potential for increased earnings if exporters pivot toward manufactured and high-value goods.

    Speaking at a Kenya-EU EPA sensitization forum in Athi River, Machakos County, Geiger highlighted that the EPA presents Kenya with a valuable opportunity to build industrial capacity and advance toward its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income country.

    “Kenya aims to achieve upper-middle-income status, and this can be realized through establishing manufacturing and processing companies,” she stated.

    Machakos County has been proactive in seizing this opportunity by setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which Geiger praised, calling on other counties to follow suit.

    “These SEZs offer unique opportunities that can significantly drive manufacturing growth,” she added.

    The ambassador assured Kenya of the EU’s commitment to supporting EPA implementation and mentioned that similar forums will be conducted in Europe to attract investment into Kenya, thereby strengthening bilateral trade.

    “I encourage the Kenyan government to partner with the private sector to foster a conducive environment for business. Kenya boasts one of the strongest private sectors in Africa, which is why many companies are choosing to establish operations here,” she said.

    Joseph Rotich, Director of External Trade at the State Department for Trade, highlighted that the EPA provides Kenyan exporters with unrestricted access to the EU market.

    “The agreement guarantees quota-free and duty-free access to all 27 EU countries,” Rotich noted, adding that this will help expand Kenya’s industrial base and open new markets, including the United States.

    Rotich affirmed the State Department’s commitment to fully implementing the agreement, with an EPA implementation strategy in the advanced stages.

    He pointed out that the EPA also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), offering EU investors in Kenya access to wider African markets.

    Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Acting CEO Tobias Alando welcomed the EPA as a promising opportunity for Kenyan manufacturers to both export to the EU and establish joint ventures with EU companies to set up operations in Kenya.

    “We call upon counties to adopt policies that create an enabling environment for the manufacturing sector,” Alando said.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Fresh Produce Exporters Consortium of Kenya, Okisegere Ojepat, urged Kenyan producers to seize the EPA opportunity and scale up production to meet EU demand.

    Ojepat observed that Kenyan exports to the EU had declined recently, primarily due to evolving regulatory requirements, but expressed optimism that the EPA would address these challenges.

    “We must ensure a steady supply to the 27-country economic bloc and encourage farmers and exporters to adhere to standards to access these markets,” he added.

    Ojepat also called on national and county governments to establish regulatory frameworks that enable farmers and exporters to access the EU market more efficiently.

    Other key figures attending the forum included Machakos County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki, as well as public and private sector stakeholders.

    The forum in Machakos is part of a national series aimed at raising awareness of the opportunities provided by the Kenya-EU EPA.