KENYA is ready to host the World Trade Organisation’s Ministerial Conference and there are no difference in government over the meeting.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed has reassured that all is set for the four-day conference from December 15 to 18.
Kenya has set up the National Negotiations Committee to help Kenya
reach trade deals during the December conference, said Mohammed, who has been
chosen the chair of the meeting, branded MC10 Nairobi
2015.
She said the negotiations are expected to end negotiations before
November, paving way for a common position with increasing global market access for agricultural produce a key priority.
As of last year, intra trade among EU nations stood at 60 per cent, in Asia
its 40 per cent and the Americas is 20 per cent while in Africa it is a mere 6 per cent.
Priority for Kenya during the conference is
ensuring that Kenya gets wider market access for its agricultural
produce such as tea, coffee, and horticulture.
Kenya will also be pushing for liberalisation of
services which will allow for the free movement of professionals
across borders.
Mohammed said her ministry is leading the preparations and all logistics are in place.
“There are no differences between my ministry and any other. This is an important meeting for Kenya to host and we are prepared,” she said.
She added the meeting was important for Kenya’s trade and tourism and should be supported by everyone who wants to see progress in the growth and development of the country.
“My ministry has worked hard to ensure that we improve our international trade as well as tourism in Kenya,” the CS said.
The conference is expected to attract about 7,000 delegates from the WTO’ 162 members states from all over the world.
This will be the first time that the WTO Ministerial Conference will be taking place in Africa, after Turkey withdrew her bid in favour of Kenya.
The meeting will be the second major global conference to be hosted by Kenya after the Global Entrepreneurship Summit which was co-hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta and US President Barack Obama.
A National preparatory committee, comprising 10 sub-committees, is
overseeing the preparatory process and all requisite arrangements are in
place and on schedule.
Africa has often accused developed nations of having placed barriers on
the movement of professional especially from developing
countries.