This follows a decision by the Comesa Trade and Customs Committee to grant Kenya another 12-month extension as it seeks to privatise State-owned sugar factories. This is the fourth time Kenya has been granted an extension from the regional bloc since it was granted the protection window in 2004.

 

Now it has up to February 28, 2017 to institute the necessary changes with a view to making it strong enough to compete with sugar from other Comesa members. Factories earmarked for privatisation include Nzoia, Sony, Chemelil, Muhoroni and Miwani Sugar Companies.

 

A statement from the Comesa Communication department says the Trade and Customs Committee, which is composed of representatives from member States, met last month and came up with what was considered “a win-win approach”.

 

“This Committee was mandated to process safeguards by the Council of Ministers. During its meeting, the committee considered the request from the Government of Kenya and made several recommendations,” the statement says.

Source : IN 2 EAST AFRICA