Kenya has launched a fresh push for the conclusion of long-pending trade deal between the European Union and the East African Community (EAC) amid risks of losing preferential access for its products to the main European market. Kenya and Rwanda signed the deal in 2016, but it needs approval from all members of the East African Community bloc - which also includes Burundi and Uganda - to take effect. “We have had meetings with the EU [on 27 September] and another one to be held [on 28 September] we are pushing for our case as a region but it is up to the EU to decide what will happen next in the event the remaining countries refuse to sign the deal,” Industry, Trade and Cooperative Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed said in a telephone interview from Brussels. Mr Mohamed expressed optimism that Kenya will continue having its market access to the EU under the preferential terms regardless of the outcome of the meeting. In March, Kenya accused Tanzania and Uganda of being insincere in their refusal to join the rest of EAC members in signing the EPA.
Source: www.businessdailyafrica.com