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"id": 695379,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/695379/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
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"speaker": {
"id": 15,
"legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
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"content": "In November, 2007, the East African Partner States initiated the framework for the establishment of EPA signalling the commencement of this negotiation. The negotiation was supposed to deal with a comprehensive EPA. By then, Kenya was exporting most of her goods to the EU on a duty-free basis for a period of over 40 years. The exports to the EU have gradually increased over the years, making the EU the second largest export destination for Kenyan exports. In 2015, those exports earned our country more than Kshs126 billion. In January 2008, Kenya continued to enjoy the duty-free, quota-free market access on the basis of the EPA process. As at 30th September 2014, Kenya should have concluded ratification of EPA. That was the period given to member states, including Kenya. Missing this deadline meant loss of the duty- free, quota-free market access preference for the region and, more importantly, Kenya. I have deliberately decided to take the House and the country on a step by step process so that we can finally come to where we are today, and how we can move forward. From January, 2008, the East African Partner States engaged the EU in negotiation for this comprehensive EPA as a bloc. They wanted to deal with the matter as a combined EAC bloc. This went on smoothly culminating in a conclusion of a negotiation and initialling of the document, EPA text in October 2014, signifying the conclusion of the comprehensive negotiation. Hon. Speaker, Kenyan goods started attracting duty in the EU to the tune of Kshs600 million per month. This situation lasted until December 2014 when Kenya, as an individual country, was reinstated to the market access regulations allowing our exports to enter the EU market on duty-free, quota-free market access once again. Kenya was reinstated to access the EU market on condition that by 30th September, 2016, 10 days from now, we would have ratified the EPA. The current deadline standing is 30th September 2016. If we do not ratify either as East Africa or as an individual country, our goods will attract all forms of taxation. The EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment sat on 26th February 2016 and took a deliberate decision for EPA to be signed. They instructed the Secretariat to liaise with the EU to organise the signing of EPA by June, 2016 because of the pending deadline of 1st October, 2016. The Sectoral Council’s decision was upheld by the EAC Council of Ministers on 29th February, 2016. During the extraordinary meeting of this Sectoral Council conducted through a video conference attended by all partner states, except Tanzania, four partner states confirmed their availability to sign EPA. But Tanzania indicated that she was not ready yet to sign it until certain prevailing circumstances are rectified. Hon. Speaker, the narrative of EPA must be said well because it is good for Kenyans and for EAC to hear about it, and for it to go to the HANSARD. Kenya and Rwanda, on the basis of the above decision made at the Sectoral Council, proceeded to sign the EPA on 1st September 2016, in view of the fast approaching deadline of 1st October 2016, pending signing by our other colleagues within the region. Many efforts were put at the Ministers’ and the Heads of State levels. Despite the above efforts, the EU Commission on 8th July 2016, with the assumption that Kenya might not have ratified the EPA by 30th September 2016, petitioned the EU Parliament to remove Kenya from the market access regulations with effect from 1st December, 2016. That is a very important step that was taken by the European Union (EU) Parliament in its Sitting on that day. Hon. Speaker, this proposal by the EU Parliament was scheduled to be discussed during the Session of the EU Parliament’s Committee on International Trade on 31st of August. I really want to commend the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Mr. Aden Mohamed and his Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kiptoo, for doing all that it takes within the 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."
}