[CTC] Fwd: United States and Kenya Joint Statement after the Fifth Round of U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations

[Arthur Stamoulis]

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From: USTR Press Office <ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov>
Date: Fri, May 17, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Subject: United States and Kenya Joint Statement after the Fifth Round of
U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
May 17, 2024

*CONTACT*: media at ustr.eop.gov

*United States and Kenya Joint Statement after the Fifth Round of*
*U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations*

WASHINGTON – At the conclusion of the fifth round of negotiations under the
United States – Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP),
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Kenya's Cabinet
Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry Rebecca Miano renewed their
commitment to work to conclude an agreement by the end of the year on a
high standard, ambitious STIP that reflects mutually shared goals and
values.

They agreed that the two sides have made significant progress in several
areas, including on anticorruption; micro, small, and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs); services domestic regulation; and the first tranche of
agriculture text. These provisions are designed to facilitate agricultural
trade and advance food security; prevent and combat bribery and other forms
of corruption; empower MSMEs in both economies; and ensure that service
suppliers are treated fairly and in a transparent manner.

They also agreed to continue negotiations in other areas with a view to
increasing investment, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth,
benefiting workers, and supporting African regional economic integration.
These provisions are intended to ensure efficient customs procedures and
enhance cooperation on enforcement; promote workers’ rights and
protections; advance and support environment and climate change objectives;
provide citizens, traders, and other interested persons with greater
transparency about regulatory processes; and facilitate agricultural trade
and enhance transparency and understanding of the application of science-
and risk-based sanitary and phytosanitary measures and sustainable
agricultural practices.

The two sides recently concluded conceptual discussions on how the STIP can
advance the full, equitable, and meaningful participation in international
trade and investment of all persons, including women, youth, persons with
disabilities, other vulnerable populations, and the African Diaspora.
Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and Kenya’s
Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo, who are leading the
negotiating teams, also co-chaired a public listening session.

After announcing the launch of the STIP negotiations in July 2022, the
United States and Kenya began conceptual discussions in Washington, DC, in
February 2023 and commenced text-based negotiations in April 2023 in
Nairobi, Kenya. The two sides have each hosted subsequent negotiating
rounds, including the previous in-person negotiating round held April 2-12,
2024, in Washington, DC.

Details on the next negotiating round will be shared at a later date.

###
U.S. Trade Representative Press Office
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