Policy Monitor, Issue 2 No. 4, April 2004-June 2005 on Kenya's Participation in International Trade Negotiations

Abstract

Trade negotiations play a key role in increasing international market access for exports. Kenya has pursued global integration through trade with other countries at regional and international level. The main aim in the various trade negotiations has been to increase market access for Kenya’s products and to protect Kenya’s regional markets, especially by addressing the issues of taxes on imports and exports, and the market-distorting subsidies in products of interest to Kenya. The main trade agreements are the European Union (EU)-African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), and the WTO trade agreements. Kenya is also a member of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which allow for preferential access in regional trade. The more immediate concern for Kenya within the East African Community and COMESA is the need to rationalize the country’s participation in different trading arrangements in the region. This article evaluates the status of various trade agreements Kenya is involved in, and identify the challenges and risks in each of the trade agreements.