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{
    "id": 695375,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/695375/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 61,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Langat",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 384,
        "legal_name": "Benjamin Kipkirui Langat",
        "slug": "benjamin-langat"
    },
    "content": "Since I know the Leader of the Majority Party will second the Motion, and we have also agreed that Members will remain so that they debate it, I do not want to finish all the points. There are fears that once we enter into this agreement, Kenya will be locked into it. I want to inform the House that there are clauses in the agreement that provide for a situation whereby we can decide not to proceed with the agreement. If we decide to amend some sections, having found them to be detrimental, there is the amendment clause which provides flexibility for parties to amend any provision, including tariff liberalisation schedules, when a need arises. The provisions allow for amendment of tariff liberalisation schedules under certain circumstances such as to accommodate a regional integration process. This Economic Partnership Agreement is a living agreement. It can be amended whenever it is deemed necessary and on mutual agreement. So as to allay the fears that we are being locked into this agreement, I would like to tell Hon. Members that it provides for a comprehensive review of the entire agreement after every five years. After every five years, the member states can review the whole document and check whether there is need for a comprehensive review or changes depending on what is pertinent at that stage. As I have said, it is a living document. It will go through a five-year review to capture any emerging issues. The agreement also provides flexibility for the parties to quit the agreement if they are not satisfied in the course of its implementation. There is an exit clause. Exiting the agreement requires one to give a one-year simple notice to the other party. If you do not want to be part of the agreement anymore, you just give a one-year notice. I have already talked about the benefits of this agreement to our economy. In summary, we will secure and maintain the EU market for Kenyan goods. One thousand other items have been allowed duty-free and quota-free to the EU markets. The other issue is rules of origin. Simplified rules of origin have been agreed with the EU, which makes it easier for Kenya to export a wide range of products to the EU market. The negotiated flexibility of the rules is supportive of our agricultural and industrial development, laying emphasis on value addition for agricultural products. The agreed rules will promote industrial development in the East African region. There is also the issue of the supply side constraints that has hampered Kenya’s ability to exploit the EU market and access opportunities through the commitment to support the infrastructural development programme projects in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) development matrix that is geared towards industrial and agricultural competitiveness. The funding of this programme is foreseen under the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF) and the funding modalities are foreseen in the EPA agreement. The other issue is with regard to secure investment and jobs. If we sign this agreement, our exports will continue accessing the EU markets, duty-free and quota-free. This means our employment opportunities will be safeguarded and the investments of roughly Kshs200 billion, which I had already mentioned, will be secured. There was a Motion which was moved by the Deputy Speaker in this House on compliance with EPA, on which the House resolved on 9th July, 2013. I wish to make a statement with regard to that. During the negotiations on outstanding contentious issues, the resolutions of the House, as passed on 9th July 2013, were taken into account. Contentious issues were highlighted by the House, including the most favoured nation clause, export access, agriculture domestic support, export subsidies, reference to Cotonou Partnership Agreement non- 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."
}