COMESA-EU-Kenya Trade Mission Reviews Key Projects

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The State Department for Trade today welcomed a delegation from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the European Union (EU) to assess the progress of the COMESA European Development Fund (EDF11) Programme in Kenya.

The delegation, led by Ms. Christine Haziyo, EU Project Manager for Zambia and COMESA, and Ms. Mshuka Kamwela, COMESA EDF Programme Manager, visited KENTRADE, a beneficiary of the
programme. The team also held discussions to review progress and explore ways to expedite the completion of remaining project components.

The COMESA EDF11 Programme is centered around three main goals:

 

1. Lowering Cross-Border Trade Costs: Through initiatives like the Small-Scale Cross Border Trade Programme and the Trade Facilitation Programme.

2. Boosting Private Sector Competitiveness: By improving the business environment and participation in global value chains through the Regional Enterprise Competitiveness & Access to
Markets Programme.

3. Building Capacity for Regional Integration: Via the COMESA Institutional Capacity Building Programme for member states and the private sector.

Kenya has benefitted from key projects under this Programme, such as the Moyale Border Upgrading Project, the EARFISH project, and the Simplified Trade Regime for small-scale traders.
Today’s discussions focused on the Moyale One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Upgrade. Kenya signed a Sub-delegation Agreement with COMESA on May 16, 2023, to enhance infrastructure and connectivity
at Moyale, including ICT upgrades, laboratory equipment and customs facilities, as well as the implementation of the COMESA electronic Certificate of Origin (eCO).

The delegation will visit Moyale to review the projects progress, which has set a standard for cross-border trade improvements in the region.

These efforts aim to provide smoother trade experiences, especially for small-scale traders, creating opportunities for Kenyan youth and women as part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The State Department for Trade remains committed to strengthening partnerships with COMESA and the EU to further enhance Kenya’s trade environment.

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