Kenya hopes trade fair will ease EAC trade war
Kenya is planning a soft power approach to cull the trade war with Dar es Salam after the series of strong-arm tactics.
The Export Promotion Council CEO Peter K.Biwott, says Kenya’s participation in the annual Dare es Salaam International Trade Fair from the 28th June to 13th July 2018 is a big opportunity to reclaim Nairobi’s market share in the Tanzanian market for Kenyan goods and services.
Mr. Biwot said that over the years, Kenya has continued to register favorable balance of trade with Tanzania, but this has experienced turbulence in the recent past.
Nairobi had given Tanzania an ultimatum to lift a ban on duty-free entry of Kenya-made sweets or face retaliatory action from July 1.
Kenya also banned the importation of LPG gas in from Tanzania as well as wheat flour.
Kenya Navy recently arrested 109 Tanzanian fishermen for engaging in illegal fishing within Kenya’s territorial waters in Shimoni.
Tanzania on his part has banned milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya as well as exportation of maize.
Dar also slapped a 25 percent import duty on Kenyan confectionery, juice, ice cream and chewing gum earlier in the year, claiming the use of zero-rated industrial sugar imports.
“Kenya’s participation in the annual Dare es Salaam International Trade Fair is deemed as an impactful and appropriate way to help deepen Kenya’s presence in the Tanzanian market,” said Mr. Biwott.
EPC says that in addition to the Tanzanian market, Kenya will also be targeting markets in Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South-Western parts of Uganda who will be attending the Trade Fair.
Kenya is also organizing a Trade & Investment Promotion Forum (KTIF) alongside the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.
The forum will be used to compliment Kenya’s participation at the Fair(DITF) and will provide an opportunity for Kenya to showcase its exports and increase awareness on Kenya’s tourism, trade, and investment opportunities.
