President Uhuru Kenyatta seeks to increase trade with Tanzania

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete inspects a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces at State House, Nairobi, on October 5, 2015. He said that if Dr John Magufuli wins the presidential election later this month, he will work closely with Jubilee despite his friendship with Cord leader Raila Odinga. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday told The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries to reach out to Tanzania for a trade agreement that will strengthen the Joint Commission between Kenya and Tanzania.
• “We will do everything within our power to see the integration agenda implemented to the letter. I assure you that Tanzanian policy towards Kenya will remain the same even after I leave office, “said President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, signalling a focused spirit in fostering ties between the two countries.

By LILIAN OCHIENG
More by this Author

Kenya is positioning itself to increase its trade volumes with Tanzania even as President Jakaya Kikwete vacates office.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday told The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries to reach out to Tanzania for a trade agreement that will strengthen the Joint Commission between Kenya and Tanzania.

“Throughout his tenure, President Kikwete has been a champion of trade and integration. Though that tenure is now coming to an end, he will leave a legacy of friendliness and deeper trade relations in our region,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement.

REGIONAL INTEGRATION

President Kenyatta and Kikwete Sunday commissioned the Taveta–Arusha road which will join Tanzania to the Northern Corridor at Voi.

The two are also working together on a power project that will connect Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya.

Besides, Kenya is one of Tanzania's top trading partners.

Kenya exports to Tanzania grew 5.5 per cent to Sh43 billion last year.

Tanzania, on the other hand, exported Sh20 billions of goods and services into Kenya in the same period.

COALITION OF THE WILLING

Despite common membership of the East African Community, and the recently signed EAC–COMESA–SADC Tripartite Agreement, Tanzania and Kenya have both been looking in different directions for integration.

For instance, in implementing the Single Customs zone, Tanzania and Burundi were slow to come on board.

Tanzania has also been toying with the idea of joining The Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit that involves Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan.

This has caused tension among the decision makers at the Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit.

“We will do everything within our power to see the integration agenda implemented to the letter. I assure you that Tanzanian policy towards Kenya will remain the same even after I leave office, “said President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, signalling a focused spirit in fostering ties between the two countries.