THE STANDARD
BUSINESS NEWS
British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott [David Njaaga, Standard]
A multi-billion shilling trade deal between Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK) has been endorsed by the two countries’ parliaments.
MPs on Tuesday ratified the trade agreement, which is estimated at Sh200 billion, a few days after their UK counterparts did the same.
On Wednesday, British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott in her tweet noted that the deal will benefit Kenyan and British businesses, workers and the economies.
“Pleased our Economic Partnership Agreement has passed through the UK and Kenyan Parliament. We look forward to the exchange of ratification instruments soon. This is a deal which brings significant benefits for Kenyan and British businesses, workers and our economies,” she tweeted.
Trade agreement between Kenya and UK ratified standardmedia.co.ke - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from standardmedia.co.ke Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The measures, which included the closure of borders, saw many farmers unable to export their produce as airlines grounded flights due to the inability to access certain key markets that had also closed their airspaces.
The lockdowns, especially in Europe, which takes 70 per cent of Kenyan flowers, also resulted in a drop in demand for the produce.
Large-scale flower farmers reported instances where they had to dispose of their produce after harvest as they had no markets to deliver them.
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The industry also announced mass layoffs.
It, however, appeared to have turned the corner shortly after, with many countries allowing cargo flights into their airspaces.
Crop diversification crucial to boosting exports, says lobby
Wednesday December 23 2020
By KEVIN ROTICH
Summary
The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Keproba) plans to grow export earnings by expanding Kenya’s offerings and gaining new markets through e-commerce.
Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) chief executive officer Hosea Machuki said substantial growth cannot be achieved by only relying on traditional exports such as tea, avocado, cut flowers, fish and cement, which form the country’s main export basket.
Kenya can achieve its target of growing exports by 6.5 percent annually if the agriculture sector diversifies to include non-traditional food products, a producers association has said.