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"id": 134410,
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"content": "Kenyaâs exports within the African region. In 2008, our exports grew by 29.2 per cent. The share that went to the COMESA was 68.5 per cent of the total exports to the African region. So, the COMESA represents for us a very significant trading bloc that took 68 per cent of our total exports to the African region. With regard to the European community, our total exports to the European Union (EU) in 2008, were worth Kshs89.1 billion compared with 72.6 per cent in 2007. Our imports, however, increased to Kshs146.1 billion in 2008 compared to Kshs121.1 billion in 2007. I think the increase in our exports in 2008, despite the economic slowdown and the problems we had earlier in the year, shows that there is great potential for trading within Africa and Europe where we had increases. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, Asia continued to be a principal source for imports, with goods worth Kshs468 billion being imported from the region in 2008 compared with Kshs334 billion in 2007. The value of our exports to Saudi Arabia, again, grew by 93 per cent in 2008 compared to a growth of only 11.9 per cent in 2007. On our export earning, our exports to Iran which dropped in 2007 more than doubled last year largely due to improved diplomatic relations which boosted our tea exports. With regard to Asia and the Far East, our exports grew from Kshs46.2 billion in 2007 to Kshs57.2 billion in 2008. However, I would like the House to appreciate that this comes against an import bill of Kshs468.8 billion from Asia. This basically shows that we rely more on imports than Asia is able to absorb from us in terms of exports. In terms of other markets, Kenya exported goods worth Kshs20.5 billion to the United States of America (USA) in 2008 compared with Kshs19.2 billion in 2007. The imports from the USA reduced from Kshs44 billion in 2007 to Kshs27.5 billion in 2008. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the benefit of the House and to see where we stand with our main trading partners, we have identified our ten leading export destinations so that even as we discuss the bilateral, hon. Members can appreciate the countries that are our real trading partners. Leading the pack of the top ten for 2008 is our neighbour, Uganda, with total exports of about Kshs42.3 billion. This was followed by the United Kingdom (UK), with Kshs37.9 billion worth. This accounted for slightly below 50 per cent of our total exports to Europe. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we exported goods worth Kshs29 billion to our neighbour to the south, Tanzania. It was our number three trading partner in terms of our exports. The USA follows at number four, at Kshs20.5 billion. Egypt to the north is our number five trading partner with Kshs15.5 billion. We sold goods worth Kshs14.1 billion to Sudan, which is to the north west. This made the country our sixth largest export partner. The Democratic Republic of Congo comes in at number seven, at Kshs9.9 billion. Rwanda is number eight, at Kshs9 billion. The United Arab Emirates is number nine at Kshs7.6 billion and India is tenth at Kshs6.8 billion. I have given those figures and rankings so that even as we discuss trade or diplomatic relations, as a country, we should be very clear in terms of the people who trade with us and can create jobs in this country so that we enhance our relationship with those countries. So, as we meet them, as Members of Parliament, at least, we should know how to treat them as our trade partners. This is because it is trade that will create jobs and increase our domestic income and thus move our people from poverty into prosperity."
}