The National Assembly on Tuesday will hold a special sitting to discuss a Trade Agreement known as Economic Partnership Trade Agreement between the East African Community and the European Union (EU).
In an announcement published in the national gazette, the MPs will debate the way forward for Kenya in regards to the Trade Agreement after some countries in the East African Community declined to sign the deal.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were given until the October 1, this year, to sign the Economic Partnership Trade Agreement with the European Union (EU) to allow ease of products from the East African community to the EU market.
However, Tanzania and Uganda through their Trade Ministers announced during the 6-day of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Nairobi, that they would not be bullied or coerced into signing an agreement they know little about.
Reports indicate that Burundi has as well declined to sign the deal, leaving Kenya on its own.
In the special sitting, MPs will help Kenya find the way forward over the deal, given that the EA community only has eleven days to sign the Trade Agreement with the European Union.
Tanzania wants the Community to first welcome the European Union to explain in details the terms of service in the deal, before signing the pact.
The deal, according to Tanzania, is a long-term agreement that may end up having negative impacts in the East Africa community’s product- exportation, thus the need to extensive knowledge.
Source: Hivi Sasa

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