The Republic of Kenya and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understating on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures.
The MoU was signed in Beijing between the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of Kenya and The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
The historic signing of the MoU is expected to pave way for market access for Kenyan agricultural products into the China market that has over 1.3 billion consumers.
Among the products to be exported include; fruits, nuts, avocadoes, legumes, flowers, vegetables, stevia, meat, leather and leather products, among others.
The implementation of the MoU will also promote good relationship among the competent authorities in SPS and thus enable faster resolution of challenges that Kenyan products face in accessing the Chinese market.
The signing of the SPS MOU is an outcome of the strong political message on strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries following the direct engagements of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the PRC at the sidelines of the ongoing China International Import Exhibition (CIIE).
Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Mr. Peter Munya led the Kenyan delegation in the signing of the MoU.
He was accompanied by Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary, State Department for Trade, Harry Kimutai, Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock, Nzioka Waita, Chief of Staff, Presidency, Amb. Michael Kinyanjui, Kenya’s Ambassador to China and Dr. Esther Kimani, Managing Director, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), among others.
By Habel Shiloli
