Kenya, the biggest economy in East Africa is considering trade deals with the European Union (EU) as a nation and not as part of the East African Community.
This follows Tanzania’s absence from the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with EU, a trade pact that would give East African community members duty-free quota-free access for all exports to members of European Union.
The ceremony was to be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 on the sidelines of the United Nations Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya.
The five East African Community members; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi have until August 4, 2016 to sign the deal with EU.
According to The Star, this will help Kenya avoid duties of as much as 22 percent on its exports to EU members.
This comes following Britain’s decision to leave the EU after 40 years, which has left the much anticipated deal in serious doubt.
Britain’s exit (Brexit) may reduce capital inflows into East Africa, weaken exchange rates and damage economic stability in the region.
In June 2016, Tanzania expressed her reluctance to sign any deal and decided to wait and see what happens within EU following Brexit. Uganda also said it wants to delay signing the deal.
This has left the three other members; Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi at a loss, prompting the Kenyan government to consider trading with EU as an individual nation.
We would like to sign it together; the desire is that we sign it together. If we get to a stage where we can’t do that then we also have the right to make our own sovereign decisions”, Amina Mohammed, Kenya’s Foreign Secretary told Business Day Live.
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Brexit Threatens To Divide East African Community Cohesion
Kenya, the biggest economy in East Africa is considering trade deals with the European Union (EU) as a nation and not as part of the East African Community.
This follows Tanzania’s absence from the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with EU, a trade pact that would give East African community members duty-free quota-free access for all exports to members of European Union.
The ceremony was to be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 on the sidelines of the United Nations Convention on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that is ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya.
The five East African Community members; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi have until August 4, 2016 to sign the deal with EU.
According to The Star, this will help Kenya avoid duties of as much as 22 percent on its exports to EU members.
This comes following Britain’s decision to leave the EU after 40 years, which has left the much anticipated deal in serious doubt.
In June 2016, Tanzania expressed her reluctance to sign any deal and decided to wait and see what happens within EU following Brexit. Uganda also said it wants to delay signing the deal.
This has left the three other members; Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi at a loss, prompting the Kenyan government to consider trading with EU as an individual nation.
We would like to sign it together; the desire is that we sign it together. If we get to a stage where we can’t do that then we also have the right to make our own sovereign decisions”, Amina Mohammed, Kenya’s Foreign Secretary told Business Day Live.
Source
Africa: Passport Law for Review in Response to AU Move – Govt
Dar es Salaam — Following the launch of the African Union (AU) diplomatic passport during the just ended Kigali Summit, the government will review the travel documents Act in a bid to make clear on their usage.
The passport was firstly issued to the region’s heads of state and ministers of foreign affairs. They will also be available to civilians of AU member countries with regards to the available procedures.
This document was introduced as part of efforts to enhance and promote business and political integration among members. Moreover, the passport would facilitate interaction by cutting some unnecessary restrictions during visa application.
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Govt formulating ammendment to immigration regulations
A newly appointed immigration advisory board is in the process of formulating amendments to the immigration regulations, Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, told delegates at the Satsa Conference on Thursday.
The Minister explained that the Act required amendments to be made by the board, which was only recently appointed. The Department of Tourism is represented on the board. Hanekom said the changes that would be made were expected to be in line with Cabinet directive to ensure South Africa’s regulations for travelling minors were in keeping with global practices.
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I’m not an emigrant who pines for Ireland; I’ve made another home abroad
“You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” – Miriam Adeney
I consider myself lucky.
I am fiercely proud of being Irish, of my Irish passport, of my three children’s Irish passports, of my accent, of my Irish rugby jersey, of my family, of Leitrim and of Ireland.
I am fiercely proud to call Johannesburg and South Africa home; of Lisa my South African wife; of Sean and Kieran my two boys, and of Hannah my little eight-month-old girl (who has utterly stolen my heart), all three of whom were born in South Africa; of my South African business; and of my South African friends and colleagues.
I make absolutely no apologies for supporting Ireland loudly and passionately when they play South Africa (in any sport), and of supporting South Africa whenever they play anyone else.
When I go on holidays back to Leitrim, I tell people in South Africa I am going home. When I am about to return to South Africa, I tell everyone in Leitrim that I am going home.
I believe Ireland and Leitrim, which I call home, are among the most beautiful countries and counties in the world.
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