NAIROBI, June 4 (NNN-KBC) — Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced that Kenya and the United States will engage in the sixth round of the Kenya-United States Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) negotiations in Mombasa, Kenya.
At the conclusion of the fifth round of negotiations Miano, and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai had renewed their commitment to work together to conclude the negotiation that reflects mutually shared goals and values by end of the year.
“We have made substantial strides in several key areas. These include anticorruption measures, support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), domestic regulation of services, and the initial draft of the agriculture text. These provisions are strategically designed to facilitate agricultural trade, combat corruption, empower MSMEs, and ensure fair treatment of service suppliers, all of which are crucial for our economic growth and stability”, Miano explained.
The weeklong negotiation in Mombasa is led by Principal Secretary for Trade, Alfred K’Ombudo, and Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton, who have agreed to continue negotiating on high-standard commitments in other areas to increase investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefit workers, and support African regional economic integration.
These provisions are intended to promote workers’ rights and protections; advance and support environment and climate change objectives; provide citizens, traders, and other interested persons with greater transparency about regulatory processes; ensure efficient customs procedures and enhance cooperation on enforcement; and promote the application of science- and risk-based sanitary and phytosanitary measures and sustainable agricultural practices.
The Mombasa discussions will also advance talks on Workers’ Rights, Customs Procedures, Good regulatory practices, and Agriculture. — NNN-KBC
