The Kenya Private Sector Consortium has broadly welcomed on-going Kenya – U.S Free Trade negotiations which are being seen as an opportunity to catalyze mutual economic growth.
“We fully support the efforts of Kenya and the United States to negotiate a comprehensive and high-standard trade agreement to grow two-way trade and private sector investment,” said Nick Nesbitt, Chairman of the Private Sector Consortium on the Kenya – U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also Chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and the East Africa Business Council.
Kenya on Wednesday launched talks to seal a free trade agreement with the United States before the end of the year.
Through the new agreement, Kenya stands to benefit from increased trade in goods and services, increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the transfer of technology, knowledge, and know-how, which will enhance the local skill base and boost the competitiveness of locally produced goods and services. This, in turn, will enable greater access and expansion of Kenyan products and services into markets in the U.S. and across Africa in anticipation of the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Kenya being East Africa’s largest business, financial, and transportation hub, with 80% of East Africa’s trade flowing through Mombasa Port, the U.S. stands to benefit from access to diversified supply chains, local partnerships, markets, and expansion opportunities which will give stability and growth to American businesses and the U.S. economy.
Phillipine Mtikitiki, AmCham Kenya Board President highlighted this aspect of mutual benefit for both countries saying, “A comprehensive, rules-based system allows for increased ease of trade and doing business between the two countries which can spur mutual prosperity, a win-win situation where both countries benefit from growth in trade and private sector investment leading to job and wealth creation”.
Richard Ngatia, President KNCCI added, “This agreement will increase access to both the Kenyan and the U.S. market driving growth in exports for local manufacturers and accelerated growth of SMEs, the service economy and digital trade. Consumers also stand to benefit from expanded choice of high-quality goods and services as a result of the competition it will create in the market”.
The trickle-down effect of the FTA is set to complement and enhance existing regional trade agreements such as the East African Community (EAC) and the AfCFTA.
“The FTA has the potential to revitalise both local and regional manufacturing as increased opportunities for export of goods to the U.S. and across Africa with the implementation of the AfCFTA will provide opportunities for complementary linkages in various industry sectors and the development of regional value chains” said Phylis Wakiaga, CEO, KAM.
The consortium is composed of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kenya (AMCHAM), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI)
