KenTrade sign partnership deal with Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation to break to break down trade barriers

Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation have signed a partnership agreement, committing to work together towards making trade with Kenya simpler, faster and more cost-effective.

The two organisations are working together on a trade facilitation project to introduce risk-based pre-arrival processing. The project is led by the Alliance jointly with Kenya’s Ministry of Trade, KenTrade, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and private sector partners and will expedite the clearance and release of goods, increase predictability and reduce costs for traders, allowing customs and partner border agencies to be more efficient. In the longer term, it aims to boost trade and support economic and social development.

The cooperation between the Alliance and KenTrade will support Kenya in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), in particular Article 7.1 (Pre-arrival Processing) and Article 7.4 (Risk Management). The organisations plan to carry out a series of capacity-building activities to assist border agencies improve risk assessments. The two organisations have also committed to promote the importance of TFA implementation, conduct regular meetings among partner government agencies to identify and tackle risk management issues together, and provide technical assistance to government agencies to improve risk profiles and develop solutions that will facilitate cargo clearance. Markus Wauschkuhn, Project Lead at the Alliance, noted that the partnership agreement reinforces the already close and successful partnership with KenTrade. “Our collaborative approach to solving issues at borders is what unites us all. KenTrade has been a key actor in risk management cooperation and working together we can ensure that risk management becomes an integral part of all border operations in Kenya.”Mr Amos Wangora, Chief Executive of KenTrade, said “We are excited to make our partnership with the Alliance official. The Alliance can help ensure our work to introduce risk management spreads right across all relevant government agencies in Kenya and that our new systems reflect international best practice. Together we will help Kenya realise the potential of the TFA and deliver real value for traders and government alike.”