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Relief as Kenya, Tanzania agree to lift trade restrictions
Relief as Kenya, Tanzania agree to lift trade restrictions
[http://mobile]Tanzania President John Magufuli (left) and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta shake hands after addressing a joint press conference in Nairobi on October 31, 2016. They have agreed to lift bans imposed on each other's exports. PHOTO | MAGDALENE MUKAMI
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By JOHN NGIRACHU
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IN SUMMARY
Kenyans will however still have to apply for visas when travelling to Tanzania for business.The two countries also agreed to set up a joint technical committee chaired by the Foreign Affairs ministers.
Kenya has lifted restrictions on wheat flour and cooking gas imports from Tanzania, which has in turn allowed milk and cigarettes from Kenya.
The countries’ Foreign Affairs ministers said in Nairobi on Sunday that the move followed discussions between presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) and John Pombe Magufuli.
“The Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania will lift any other restrictions that affect products and services exchanged between the two countries,” they said in a statement read by Tanzania Foreign Affairs minister Augustine Mahiga, who is also in charge of the East African Community Affairs docket.
TRAVEL
Kenyans will however still have to apply for visas when travelling to Tanzania for business, though Mr Mahiga said they were looking into the issue.
“If there are still some bottlenecks, we are pledging to address them to allow our citizens to travel easily,” he said.
The two countries would continue to man border posts jointly while the production of an East African Community (EAC) passport would help ease movement across the states, he said.
The ban on Tanzania's imports was attributed to safety and quality concerns, and Tanzania reciprocated by slapping a ban on Kenyan tyres, margarine and fermented milk.
MAIZE
Tanzania also banned overland transport of maize from Zambia into Kenya, which is experiencing one of theseverest shortages of the staple.
The trade tiff is strange, given the huge volumes of goods flowing between the two countries and the potential harm that trade disputes could cause.
Tanzania's Industry, Trade and Investment Permanent Secretary Adolf Mkenda had a few weeks ago said no action had been forthcoming from Nairobi since February and June when the two countries agreed that the ban be lifted.
TARIFFS
Kenya argued that wheat imports from Tanzania were outside the common external tariff benchmarks to allow free entry into the country.
But Prof Mkenda accused Kenya of bad faith, breaching agreements between the two countries and ignoring directives from EAC secretariat.
“Tanzania will not sit idly as its traders are denied entry into Kenya for no good reason. This will not happen.
"We are weighing all our options and they are several, which I may not want to state,” the PS had told The Citizen in an interview on July 14.
Tanzania signs new business deal with Kenya
Sent using Jamii Forums mobile app
Kenya, Tanzania now end trade row
By Macharia Kamau | Monday, Jul 24th 2017 at 08:07
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Kenya and Tanzania have ended their long-running trade hostilities and lifted restrictions on some products.
Among the products that had heightened the animosity between the two countries in the recent past are cooking gas. Kenya banned its importation from Tanzania, citing quality issues.
Kenya had also imposed a ban on wheat from Tanzania and the latter retaliated by banning exportation of unprocessed foods, milk products, and cigarettes.
But yesterday Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and her Tanzanian counterpart, Augustine Mahiga, announced a compromise that would see either side lift trade restrictions.
Following the announcement at a press conference in Nairobi, Tanzanian traders, who last week complained that they had made 'massive losses' - can now export liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into Kenya.
Kenya also lifted restrictions on wheat flour coming in from Tanzania and the latter said it would reciprocate by lifting the ban on milk products and cigarettes from Kenya.
The announcement ended months of losses for businesses on both sides of the border that had not been able to get access to some of their markets due to the restrictions.
“The Republic of Kenya will lift import restriction on wheat flour and LPG from Tanzania with immediate effect,” said a joint statement by Kenya and Tanzania read by Mr Mahiga.
“The United Republic of Tanzania will lift restriction on milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya with immediate effect.”
The ministers said the decision was reached after discussions between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Tanzania’s John Magafuli as well as two meetings between Ms Mohamed and Mahiga - one in Dar es Salaam and a second one in Nairobi yesterday. Mahiga added that the two states would “lift any other restrictions that affected products and services exchanged between the two countries".
The two countries also formed a multi-agency committee to be made up of government officials from either side to resolve what CS Mohamed termed 'important and weighty bilateral issues'.
“The committee will be chaired by the two ministers of Foreign Affairs and will compromise the ministries of EAC, trade, finance, interior, energy, agriculture, transport, tourism and will incorporate other key government agencies as the need arises,” said Ms Mohamed.
The Energy Ministry had said LPG from Tanzania was adulterated, but the CS said the issues that had resulted in the restrictions had been resolved.
Kenya, Tanzania now end trade row
Tanzania reopens borders to Kenyan milk, milk products
Posted on July 23, 2017July 23, 2017 bySIMON NDONGA
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[http://www]Ambassador Amina Mohamed with her Tanzanian counterpart/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 23 – Kenya and Tanzania have now lifted bans placed on products imported from both countries bringing an end to a stand-off between the two countries that was threatening to derail the East African Community cross-border trading.
According to a joint statement read by Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga, Kenya will allow free movement of wheat flour and Liquefied Petroleum gas from Tanzania with immediate effect.
He stated that likewise, Tanzania will lift the ban placed on milk, milk products and cigarettes from Kenya.
“The United Republic of Tanzania will lift restrictions on milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya with immediate effect. The Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania will lift any other restrictions that affect products and services exchanged between the two countries,” he said.
He says the decision was arrived at following a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed further stated that a Standing Joint Technical Committee will be formed between the two countries to deal with any other outstanding issue.
“The Committee will be chaired by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs and will comprise of the Ministries of EAC, Trade, Finance, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Tourism and will incorporate other key government agencies as the need arises,” she said.
The tit-for-tat came about when Kenya submitted that the products from Tanzania did not meet the quality and safety standards as per the EAC standards.
On April 24, Kenya’s Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau announced the ban on gas imports through Tanzania, a move meant to eliminate illegal cooking gas filling plants that posed safety and security risks.
Besides imposing a ban on importation of cooking gas through the two countries’ borders, Kenya had imposed a ban on importation of wheat.
Tanzania in response slapped retaliatory bans on Kenyan products entering their country.
Tanzania reopens borders to Kenyan milk, milk products - Capital Business
MY TAKE
What happened to adultered gas from Tanzania? Has Kenya already secured those gas testing equipments?
What i liked about this row is how Magu reacted he never beat around the bush he went strait n banned dairy exports from Kenya knowing exactly Uhuru will feel the pinch.
I love the way Kenya has been embarrassed by being forced to rectract her decision i.e. a ban on wheat flower n gas from Tanzania. One thing Kenya should reminded from the Wahengas is "a hungry stomach can not fight". Better tell Uhuru to quit being high on whatever he smokes. That thing can't cure hunger. Stupid protectionism from Kenya...
Relief as Kenya, Tanzania agree to lift trade restrictions
[http://mobile]Tanzania President John Magufuli (left) and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta shake hands after addressing a joint press conference in Nairobi on October 31, 2016. They have agreed to lift bans imposed on each other's exports. PHOTO | MAGDALENE MUKAMI
[http://mobile]
By JOHN NGIRACHU
More by this Author
IN SUMMARY
Kenyans will however still have to apply for visas when travelling to Tanzania for business.The two countries also agreed to set up a joint technical committee chaired by the Foreign Affairs ministers.
Kenya has lifted restrictions on wheat flour and cooking gas imports from Tanzania, which has in turn allowed milk and cigarettes from Kenya.
The countries’ Foreign Affairs ministers said in Nairobi on Sunday that the move followed discussions between presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) and John Pombe Magufuli.
“The Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania will lift any other restrictions that affect products and services exchanged between the two countries,” they said in a statement read by Tanzania Foreign Affairs minister Augustine Mahiga, who is also in charge of the East African Community Affairs docket.
TRAVEL
Kenyans will however still have to apply for visas when travelling to Tanzania for business, though Mr Mahiga said they were looking into the issue.
“If there are still some bottlenecks, we are pledging to address them to allow our citizens to travel easily,” he said.
The two countries would continue to man border posts jointly while the production of an East African Community (EAC) passport would help ease movement across the states, he said.
The ban on Tanzania's imports was attributed to safety and quality concerns, and Tanzania reciprocated by slapping a ban on Kenyan tyres, margarine and fermented milk.
MAIZE
Tanzania also banned overland transport of maize from Zambia into Kenya, which is experiencing one of theseverest shortages of the staple.
The trade tiff is strange, given the huge volumes of goods flowing between the two countries and the potential harm that trade disputes could cause.
Tanzania's Industry, Trade and Investment Permanent Secretary Adolf Mkenda had a few weeks ago said no action had been forthcoming from Nairobi since February and June when the two countries agreed that the ban be lifted.
TARIFFS
Kenya argued that wheat imports from Tanzania were outside the common external tariff benchmarks to allow free entry into the country.
But Prof Mkenda accused Kenya of bad faith, breaching agreements between the two countries and ignoring directives from EAC secretariat.
“Tanzania will not sit idly as its traders are denied entry into Kenya for no good reason. This will not happen.
"We are weighing all our options and they are several, which I may not want to state,” the PS had told The Citizen in an interview on July 14.
Tanzania signs new business deal with Kenya
Sent using Jamii Forums mobile app
Kenya, Tanzania now end trade row
By Macharia Kamau | Monday, Jul 24th 2017 at 08:07
Share Tweet
Kenya and Tanzania have ended their long-running trade hostilities and lifted restrictions on some products.
Among the products that had heightened the animosity between the two countries in the recent past are cooking gas. Kenya banned its importation from Tanzania, citing quality issues.
Kenya had also imposed a ban on wheat from Tanzania and the latter retaliated by banning exportation of unprocessed foods, milk products, and cigarettes.
But yesterday Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and her Tanzanian counterpart, Augustine Mahiga, announced a compromise that would see either side lift trade restrictions.
Following the announcement at a press conference in Nairobi, Tanzanian traders, who last week complained that they had made 'massive losses' - can now export liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into Kenya.
Kenya also lifted restrictions on wheat flour coming in from Tanzania and the latter said it would reciprocate by lifting the ban on milk products and cigarettes from Kenya.
The announcement ended months of losses for businesses on both sides of the border that had not been able to get access to some of their markets due to the restrictions.
“The Republic of Kenya will lift import restriction on wheat flour and LPG from Tanzania with immediate effect,” said a joint statement by Kenya and Tanzania read by Mr Mahiga.
“The United Republic of Tanzania will lift restriction on milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya with immediate effect.”
The ministers said the decision was reached after discussions between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Tanzania’s John Magafuli as well as two meetings between Ms Mohamed and Mahiga - one in Dar es Salaam and a second one in Nairobi yesterday. Mahiga added that the two states would “lift any other restrictions that affected products and services exchanged between the two countries".
The two countries also formed a multi-agency committee to be made up of government officials from either side to resolve what CS Mohamed termed 'important and weighty bilateral issues'.
“The committee will be chaired by the two ministers of Foreign Affairs and will compromise the ministries of EAC, trade, finance, interior, energy, agriculture, transport, tourism and will incorporate other key government agencies as the need arises,” said Ms Mohamed.
The Energy Ministry had said LPG from Tanzania was adulterated, but the CS said the issues that had resulted in the restrictions had been resolved.
Kenya, Tanzania now end trade row
Tanzania reopens borders to Kenyan milk, milk products
Posted on July 23, 2017July 23, 2017 bySIMON NDONGA
Shares
[http://www]Ambassador Amina Mohamed with her Tanzanian counterpart/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 23 – Kenya and Tanzania have now lifted bans placed on products imported from both countries bringing an end to a stand-off between the two countries that was threatening to derail the East African Community cross-border trading.
According to a joint statement read by Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga, Kenya will allow free movement of wheat flour and Liquefied Petroleum gas from Tanzania with immediate effect.
He stated that likewise, Tanzania will lift the ban placed on milk, milk products and cigarettes from Kenya.
“The United Republic of Tanzania will lift restrictions on milk and milk products and cigarettes manufactured in Kenya with immediate effect. The Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania will lift any other restrictions that affect products and services exchanged between the two countries,” he said.
He says the decision was arrived at following a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed further stated that a Standing Joint Technical Committee will be formed between the two countries to deal with any other outstanding issue.
“The Committee will be chaired by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs and will comprise of the Ministries of EAC, Trade, Finance, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, Transport and Tourism and will incorporate other key government agencies as the need arises,” she said.
The tit-for-tat came about when Kenya submitted that the products from Tanzania did not meet the quality and safety standards as per the EAC standards.
On April 24, Kenya’s Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau announced the ban on gas imports through Tanzania, a move meant to eliminate illegal cooking gas filling plants that posed safety and security risks.
Besides imposing a ban on importation of cooking gas through the two countries’ borders, Kenya had imposed a ban on importation of wheat.
Tanzania in response slapped retaliatory bans on Kenyan products entering their country.
Tanzania reopens borders to Kenyan milk, milk products - Capital Business
MY TAKE
What happened to adultered gas from Tanzania? Has Kenya already secured those gas testing equipments?
What i liked about this row is how Magu reacted he never beat around the bush he went strait n banned dairy exports from Kenya knowing exactly Uhuru will feel the pinch.
I love the way Kenya has been embarrassed by being forced to rectract her decision i.e. a ban on wheat flower n gas from Tanzania. One thing Kenya should reminded from the Wahengas is "a hungry stomach can not fight". Better tell Uhuru to quit being high on whatever he smokes. That thing can't cure hunger. Stupid protectionism from Kenya...
