Kenyan government presents USAID Hub-supported AGOA Strategy to USTR
On August 28, 2018, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Peter Munya (represented by Trade Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo, pictured on left) delivered Kenya’s National African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Strategy and Action Plan 2018-2023 to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington, DC.
The Strategy, which aims to double Kenya’s U.S. export value from $552 million in 2016 to $1,105 million in 2023, was officially launched on July 31, 2018 and developed through USAID Hub support.
The Hub provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives to review the achievements of the Kenya National AGOA Strategy (2012-2016), map Kenya’s trade with the U.S., identify sectors with competitive export products, assess supply-side challenges and determine strategic action plans.
Through this collaboration, a roadmap was created to raise Kenya’s exports to the U.S. through AGOA.
Mr. Lighthizer and CS Hon. Munya also announced the establishment of a U.S.-Kenya Trade and Investment Working Group to support comprehensive trade policies and lay the groundwork for a stronger future trade relationship.
The Working Group will seek to deepen trade and investment ties between the two nations, contributing to the USAID Hub’s core objectives to boost two-way trade under AGOA and facilitate private investment – win-win scenarios for businesses and citizens of both countries.
“It has been a pleasure to welcome the Kenyan delegation to the United States as we meet to build a stronger bilateral trade and investment relationship between our two countries. Under the Trade and Investment Working Group, our two countries will work together to explore a mutually beneficial trade and investment framework to guide our relationship moving forward, including by maximizing the remaining years of AGOA and looking ahead to the next steps,” said Mr. Lighthizer.
“Although AGOA preferences scheme has led to increased Kenyan exports since 2000, its utilization has been suboptimal.
Through implementation of the recently launched National AGOA strategy and action plan, Kenya seeks greater US support in order to optimize available opportunities in the remaining seven years of AGOA. Under the Trade and Investment Working Group, we look forward to exploring ways to deepen trade and investment ties between Kenya and the United States,” said CS Hon. Munya.
For the full Kenya National AGOA Strategy and Action Plan 2018-2023, click here.
Other national AGOA strategies can be downloaded here on AGOA.info at the following link.
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