Kenya seeks to fast-track trade deal with Europe
Business Daily, Kenya
Kenya seeks to fast-track trade deal with Europe
By Geoffrey Irungu
11 December 2008
Kenya is gunning for a fast-track programme that will enable it sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the European Union by July next year despite opposition from civil society groups.
Trade permanent secretary Cyrus Njiru called for the signing of the agreement to secure the economy and boost growth as outlined in the Vision 2030.
But civil society groups led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) are opposed to the agreements on the grounds that they would amount to recolonisation and enslavement of Kenya.
Opposition to the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) is also strong among the manufacturers who fear a floodgate for cheap goods from Europe would enter the domestic market.
A recent study by a coalition of NGOs found that the EU member states would gain much more from the EPAs than their African counterparts.
