Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1411342,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1411342/?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"
}