KEPSA continues to participate in the nationwide awareness campaigns on the European Union (E.U.)-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The Coast region campaign drive was held in Mombasa on 21st November 2024. Led by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the workshop brought together private sector organisations dealing in the export business and those looking forward to export their products to the E.U.
The agreement which came into force on 1st July 2024 will allow Kenyan goods to enter the EU market duty and quota-free enhancing the preferential market access for Kenyan and EU goods. Further, the agreement provides for aid and support to assist Kenyan firms to meet the EPA requirements thus building their capacity. Part of the capacity-building initiative will ensure that the Kenyan firms entrench sustainable business practices into their operations thus promoting sustainable trade practices and environmental protection.
The Kenya – EU EPA will boost bilateral trade in goods and investment flows and contribute to sustainable economic growth. It will also be accompanied by trade-related development cooperation to support economic growth and job creation. While Kenya will liberalize 82.6% of imports from the EU by value and the EU will fully liberalize its market, the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) includes a phased reduction period of 15 years for intermediate products and 25 years for finished products that Kenya has agreed to liberalize. Additionally, an Infant Industry Clause allows Kenya to protect developing industries that may be impacted by duty-free EU imports for a maximum of 15 years.
The Coast engagement was graced by Dr. Kame Mbwarali, PhD, CECM Education, County Government of Mombasa, Hon James Gakuya, Chairperson Departmental Committee on Trade Industry and Cooperatives and Mr. Filippo Amato, Trade Counsellor, EU Delegation to Kenya and other stakeholders. Mr. Bryan Ndichu of the Public-Private Dialogue Department represented KEPSA.