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Kenya – USA FTA Diaspora stakeholder consultations

September 15, 2020 by in News and Events

The Kenya-USA FTA Diaspora Stakeholder consultation was convened by the Embassy in DC with a view to raising awareness of the negotiations in the Kenya Diaspora Community and availing them the opportunity to provide input to the forthcoming text-based second round of the negotiations.

Ambassador Amayo led a team that included Amb. Njeri Karago, Consul-General, Los Angeles, Amb. David Gacheru, DCM and other officers in the Consultative process.

The Community were apprised of the status of the talks, given brief synopsis of the main issues under consideration and encouraged to share their perspectives including through written submissions.

The community members were appreciative of the outreach conducted by the Embassy. They provided invaluable inputs on both the process guiding the negotiations as well as on some key substantive aspects of the talks.  A number of the community members expressed willingness to avail their expertise and network to the service of Kenya.

The Embassy undertook to build on this Consultative meeting and convene follow up meetings bringing together the Embassy, US Business Associations and the Kenya Diaspora Community. All expressed interest in widening the scope of future engagement even as focus remains on the FTA talks.

The Embassy also briefed the Community on steps being taken to restore consular services in accordance with the Host Government guidelines on Phased reopening.

Invitation

  1. As you aware Kenya is currently negotiating a Free Trade agreement (FTA) with The United States of America. The first round of negotiations commenced on 9th July 2020 and was concluded on 17th August 2020. It was largely for establishment of guidelines and expression of negotiation objectives as part of the preparations for the second-round talks, which will be text-based negotiations, it is important to consult widely. The Kenya US Diaspora is an important stakeholder in Kenya’s development agenda including its economic relations with the US. The Kenyan mission in Washington DC is, therefore, taking the initiative to raise awareness as well as to obtain your input for the Kenya-US FTA negotiations. This is critical in helping Kenya to maximize benefits from the agreement being negotiated.You are therefore, requested as a key investment stakeholder to contribute, if possible, by expression of opinion or providing a brief report addressing the following:
  2.  
    1. Review US-Kenya negotiation objectives and expectations, available at the following public website https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Summary_of_U.S.-Kenya_Negotiating_Objectives.pdf http://trade.go.ke/sites/default/files/KENYA_USA%20FTA%20Negotiating_Principles.pdf
    2. Identify issues that Kenya should aggressively pursue during the negotiations
    3. Point out if any, issues you think Kenya should not cede ground on.

    You may provide your written brief or comments  by emailing us preferably before Monday, 14th September, 2020  at your earliest convenience at information@kenyaembassydc.org which will also be forwarded to the Negotiating team in Nairobi led by Principal Secretary (Ps), State Department of Trade. In addition, the Mission will be hosting a virtual consultative meeting with the Diaspora on the topic and related matters on 14th September 2020 starting at 16:00hrs EST. Joining details will soon be posted on the website and Diaspora WhatsApp group by Amb David Gacheru, DCM. RSVP dcm@kenyaembassydc.org

    Zoom meeting : September 14, 2020 4:00 PM :  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83385331299?pwd=OHVsM3BIck1JRVA5azBlOElnemcxdz09

  3. We look forward to your contributions on this important matter and wish to thank you for your continued support.LAZARUS O. AMAYO
    Ambassador
    Kenya Embassy, Washington, DC

     

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