Kenya will appeal against a court ruling this week that suspended its trade deal with the European Union, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal and diplomatic battle to preserve long-term tax-free access to the 27- nation bloc. The government yesterday said it had initiated “immediate appropriate steps” to overturn the injunction by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on the implementation of the Kenya–EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the ministry, in consultation with Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor, had begun the process of filing an appeal aimed at setting aside the orders and reinstate the pact. He, however, maintained that exporters will continue accessing the EU market under existing arrangements. Last year, Kenya exported goods worth $1.56 billion (about Sh203 billion) to the EU, and imported $2.09 billion (Sh272 billion) worth of goods.“The government wishes to confirm to its citizens and exporters that they will continue to have access to the EU market. We wish to assure Kenyans, our trading partners, and all trading entities that Kenya will continue to trade with the EU. Steps are being taken to ensure the continuity, predictability, and protection of our existing commercial arrangements.”The Arusha-based EACJ, on Monday, halted the roll-out of the EPA pending a determination of a petition filed by the Center for Law, Economics and Policy (CELP East Africa), a civil society group. The Ugandan-based think-tank accuses Nairobi of breaching EAC procedures by moving ahead with the agreement without notifying other members of the EAC bloc, including DRC and South Sudan. At the centre of the dispute is Article 37 of the East African Community (EAC) Protocol which governs consultation on trade agreements reached between a partner State and an external party. (ICE NAIROBI)

Fonte notizia: Business Daily