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{
    "id": 614323,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/614323/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 168,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 15,
        "legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
        "slug": "aden-duale"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. First, I thank the Chairperson and members of the Committee for burning the midnight oil to save the Executive from an imminent embarrassment. This Agreement was brought before the Committee yesterday when the Cabinet Secretary (CS) appeared before it. The Committee sat and wrote this Report. The ratification of this Agreement is important at this time because Kenya is hosting the annual WTO Ministerial Conference between 14thand 18thDecember, 2015. All member countries must complete their domestic ratification process for the Trade Facilitation Agreement to come into effect. Some countries have ratified the Agreement while others are in the process of doing so. Imagine a country that has not ratified the Agreement hosting the Ministerial Conference. That would be very serious. I am sure the Executive can do better. They should not bring this kind of business at the last minute. They should have a plan. I will not say the Executive slept, but somebody somewhere can do better. Why are we approving this Agreement? What is its benefit for Kenya? We are one of the founder members of WTO in 1947. This Agreement shortens the time it takes waiting for transit goods or for custom release and clearance. It reduces the transaction cost for traders, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It will improve revenue collection from the current over Kshs1 billion and enhance effectiveness of border control, which is very important for our country. From the current over Kshs1 billion KRA is collecting by being a member of WTO, by ratifying this MoU, we will seal loopholes of tax evasion and tax avoidance and collect more revenue. We will improve the efficiency and integrity of customs agencies. The other day the President talked about carrying out lifestyle audits of KRA staff."
}