Kenya and Uganda have agreed to remove all trade barriers that have made it difficult for Ugandan goods, including sugar, to come to the country.

East Africa Community Affairs Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie said yesterday the two countries agreed to remove the barriers to help in balancing the trade between them, which she said was currently in favour of Kenya.

Addressing journalists at Teleposta Towers in Nairobi, the CS said there were existing protocols protecting trading between EAC partners, adding that there was no need for new “deals” to facilitate the import of sugar from Uganda.

The CS waded into the ongoing debate regarding an agreement to allow sugar from Uganda into Kenya, saying there was no such deal.

Ms Kandie accompanied the President during his state visit to Uganda that has since elicited an emotive debate between the opposition and the government after details of a sugar deal emerged.

“As long as the protocols still stand there is no need for any other agreement. The two heads of state made a decision to increase trade between the two countries. The discussions were on how to eliminate the trade barriers,” she said.

Source: All Africa

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