Kenya has renewed calls for a cut of domestic subsidies in agriculture in the developed countries, to help her exports access the lucrative overseas markets.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade PS Karanja Kibicho said the push for a cut in subsidies of crops such as maize will be key at the 10th World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference to be held in Kenya in December.
The developed countries, said Dr Kibicho, have special subsidies on crops such as maize, which makes their prices in the international markets much cheaper than those from Kenya.
This has kept countries such as Kenya from accessing markets in Europe and the US.
“This conference is dedicated to Africa and therefore, should ensure that the outcomes are of benefit to the continent through fair multilateral trading system,” said Dr Kibicho at the National Trade Negotiations Committee retreat, held in Machakos, Thursday.
The committee noted that policies in agriculture, industrial goods and fisheries need a deeper look so that it could widely benefit local countries.
The Machakos meeting also explored the current mood in the WTO negotiations and what Kenya could gain from the Doha round of trade talks.
Dr Kibicho said that adoption of the trade facilitation agreement will mark a great step in the progress of the Doha development agenda.
It will also ensure the removal of the bottlenecks affecting trade and enhance regional trade.
Developing countries have been sidelined in the deliberations on world trade, and previous negotiations have centred on issues concerning the European Union and the US.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade CS Amina Mohamed told Daily Nation that the WTO meet in December will culminate into the Trade Facilitation Agreement that will put at least 107 countries on pace to open up on customs and ports procedures.
By LILIAN OCHIENG
