- This visit by Kijaji follows President William Ruto's commitment to doubling trade between the two countries from the current Sh90 billion.
- Of the eight nations that make up the EAC, Kenya is the largest investor in Tanzania and the fifth largest on the continent.
Kenya and Tanzania are inching closer to addressing key trade barriers in a major step towards enhancing regional cooperation while exploring new opportunities.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano is set to host her Tanzanian counterpart Ashatu Kijaji in Kisumu Friday for discussions aimed at reviving stalled trade programs and strengthening ties between the two nations.
"We are extremely grateful that we will be hosting our Tanzania counterparts in the trade sector for the next few days. The meeting will seek to strengthen our ties and friendship as neighbours," said Miano.
The highlight meeting will be signing a communiqué to solidify the agreements reached during the discussions.
"We will also tour Kisumu where we will interact with traders where they will explain to us their problems and give suggestions where we can improve,” she said.
This visit by Kijaji follows President William Ruto's commitment to doubling trade between the two countries from the current Sh90 billion.
“The remaining 14 or so barriers identified we should by December this year we should have concluded so as to allow our people to trade so that we can allow our people and investors to benefit,” said Ruto.
Despite past feuds leading to trade bans, Kenya's trade with Tanzania has seen steady growth signalling improved relations.
Kenya remains a significant investor in Tanzania, contributing to the region's economic growth.
Of the eight nations that make up the EAC, Kenya is the largest investor in Tanzania and the fifth largest on the continent.
Statistics by the Central Bank of Kenya show that the country’s exports to Tanzania jumped the highest by 46 per cent to Sh28.66 billion extending a good trade run between the pair amid ongoing elimination of non-tariff barriers.
Data by the KNBS shows that the value of Kenya’s exports to Tanzania jumped 43.39 percent to Sh45.6 billion in 2021 compared to the previous year.
Tanzania’s exports to Kenya on the other hand grew 95.3 percent last year nearly doubling to Sh54.47 billion last year.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu ended persistent strained trade ties between the two largest economies in the six-nation EAC bloc which have, for years, hindered the smooth flow of goods and services.
Recent statistics from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reflect a positive trend, with significant increases in exports between the two nations.
This progress underscores the efforts made by both governments to eliminate non-tariff barriers and promote trade facilitation.