Kenya and the United States of America (USA) have agreed to complete ongoing trade negotiations under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP).
This was said during the fifth round of STIP negotiations between USA Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Rebecca Miano.
CS Miano said that the two sides had made significant progress in several areas, including anticorruption, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), domestic service regulation, and the first tranche of agriculture text.
"These provisions are designed to facilitate agricultural trade and advance food security; prevent and combat bribery and other forms of corruption; empower MSMEs in both economies; and ensure that service suppliers are treated fairly and in a transparent manner," CS Miano explained.
The two parties also agreed to continue negotiations in other areas to increase investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, benefit workers, and support African regional economic integration.
These provisions are intended to ensure efficient customs procedures, enhance cooperation in enforcement, promote workers' rights and protections, advance and support the environment, and support climate change objectives, among others.
The two sides recently concluded conceptual discussions on how STIP can advance the full, equitable, and meaningful participation in international trade and investment of all persons, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, other vulnerable populations, and the African Diaspora.
Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and Kenya's Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K'Ombudo, who are leading the negotiating teams, also co-chaired a public listening session.
After announcing the launch of the STIP negotiations in July 2022, the USA and Kenya began conceptual discussions in Washington, DC, in February 2023 and commenced text-based negotiations in April 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two sides have each hosted subsequent negotiating rounds, including the previous in-person negotiating round held April 2-12, 2024, in Washington, DC.
The next round of negotiations will take place in June 2024.
