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{
"id": 1406161,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406161/?format=api",
"text_counter": 87,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Hon. Speaker I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on its consideration of the Ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union on one part and the Republic of Kenya, a member of the East African Community on the other part today…"
},
{
"id": 1406162,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406162/?format=api",
"text_counter": 88,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Order Hon. Member. Read the Motion as it appears on the Order Paper. For the record, Hon. Kitany, start by saying, \"I beg to move\"."
},
{
"id": 1406163,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406163/?format=api",
"text_counter": 89,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
},
{
"id": 1406164,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406164/?format=api",
"text_counter": 90,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
"speaker": null,
"content": "THAT, the House adopts the Report of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on its consideration of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Kenya, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday 23rd April 2024 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(4) of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, 2012, approves the Ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kenya. Hon. Speaker, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union on one part and the Republic of Kenya, a member of the East African Community on the other part was laid before the House on Wednesday, 6th of March 2024 and committed to the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives for consideration. On 18th December 2023, the EU and Kenya signed an Economic Partnership Agreement intended to boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya’s economic development. The agreement will benefit the country as it will secure access of the European Union market. The EU is a 27 country Euro16 trillion market accounting for about 17 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It offers a significant export opportunity for Kenyan goods. There will be an expanded market access and more products will enter the EU market without paying any duties. Under the agreement, all the manufactured products which were not allowed to the EU market in the previous framework can now access the EU market duty-free and quota-free over the above primary products which continue to enter without duty. The agreement shall enhance commercial and economic support relations, support a new dynamic trade between the parties by means of the progressive arithmetical liberalisation of trade between them, and broaden cooperation in areas relevant to trade and investment. Hon. Speaker, according to the provisions of Article 118 (1) (b) of the Constitution on public participation and Section 8 (3) of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act of 2012, the Committee placed an advertisement in two local dailies with nationwide circulation on 9th March 2024, requesting for submissions of memoranda on the subject. The Committee received a memorandum in support of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU on one part and the Republic of Kenya, a Member of the East African Community on the other part. Further, the Committee deliberated on the Treaty with the agencies involved in the recognition of the cross-cutting nature of the Treaty. It also heard the views of stakeholders for two days between 17th and 18th April 2024. Upon undertaking public participation, the Committee received numerous submissions from key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the Tea Board of Kenya, the Scrap Metal Council, the Law Society of Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, the Institute of Economic Affairs Kenya, the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya, the Kenya Tea Growers Association, the Kenya Bankers Association, amongst others. The submissions were in full support of the Agreement as it will open up the EU markets fully and immediately. The EU partners open only partially to the EU imports over a transition period. Further, it is a World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible agreement. The submissions observed that it is the most ambitious trade deal ever signed by the EU with a developing country when it comes to sustainability provisions such as climate and environmental protection, labour rights, and gender equality. Once ratified, the Agreement shall secure long term market access for Kenyan Exports on duty-free quota-free basis and gradual liberalisation of tariffs on goods originating from Europe over a 25-year period. Some of the objectives of this Agreement are meant to contribute to the economic growth and development through the establishment of a strengthened and strategic trade and development partnership. This is consistent with the objectives of sustainable development. One other objective is to promote the gradual integration of the EAC partner states into the world economy in conforming with their potential choices and The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
},
{
"id": 1406165,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406165/?format=api",
"text_counter": 91,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
"speaker": null,
"content": "development priorities as well as to improve the capacity of the EAC partner states in the trade policy and trade related issues. According to Section 8 of the Treaty Making and Ratification Act, I beg to move and urge the House to adopt the ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU on one part and the Republic of Kenya as a member of the East African Community on the other part. I request Hon. Gichimu to second this Motion. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1406166,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406166/?format=api",
"text_counter": 92,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Okay. Where is the Seconder? Give him the microphone. Yes, Member for Gichugu."
},
{
"id": 1406167,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406167/?format=api",
"text_counter": 93,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Gichugu, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Gichimu Githinji",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to second the Motion and at the outset, let me say that the EU market is the largest in the world. In seconding this Motion, Hon. Members ought to know that initially this Economic Partnership Agreement was meant to cover East African countries. Kenya is rated higher internationally and therefore the other countries drag their feet in accepting to sign the EPA between East Africa and the European Union (EU). Kenya had to devise a mechanism to access this market noting that the other East African countries have access to the worldwide market of goods except arms. Kenya found itself in a very tricky situation hence devising a mechanism agreeable to the other East African countries. This route was taken for Kenya to sign and seek ratification of this agreement in Parliament. It is also worth noting that the market open for Kenya will benefit Kenyans for 25 years before the EU gets reciprocity and benefits from the Kenyan market. This provides a good opportunity for Kenyan export goods to attract and earn Kenya foreign exchange that is required. This will go a long way in stabilising the Kenya Shilling. From the submissions that were made during public participation, the Law Society of Kenya and all the participants agreed with the State Department for Trade under the Ministry which presented this EPA before the Committee. The Mover of the Motion has adequately covered all the areas of this EPA in brief. I join the Vice-Chairperson, who has moved the Motion, in urging Members of this Parliament to agree with the report of the committee to ratify this agreement for the benefit of Kenyans. This will also ensure we are not left behind by the other East African countries which have unlimited access to all the markets including African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), except in matters of arms. Without belabouring the point, I beg to second. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1406168,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406168/?format=api",
"text_counter": 94,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Order, Hon. Members who are on their feet, take your seats."
},
{
"id": 1406169,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406169/?format=api",
"text_counter": 95,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Question proposed)"
},
{
"id": 1406170,
"url": "http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1406170/?format=api",
"text_counter": 96,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose spoke off the record)"
}
]
}