Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea announced that a customs duty exemption on Egyptian exports to Kenya will continue for a period of a year starting from July, according to a statement by the ministry.
Gamea added that this exemption comes as part of the comprehensive customs exemption granted by the East African Community (EAC), including Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, to COMESA member states.
She added that the Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, had received an official letter from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
However, Kenya had obtained the EAC’s approval to extend customs exemptions granted to COMESA member states for a one year period.
ECS Head Ahmed Maghawry said that this procedure will boost Egyptian exports to the Kenyan market. This comes particularly as it is one of the most important receiving markets for Egyptian exports among COMESA countries and the East African region.
It is worth noting that the total Egyptian exports to the Kenyan market in 2020 amounted to about $448.5 million, an increase of 5.3% over 2019.
The most important Egyptian export items to Kenya include sugar, detergents, cement, iron and steel, machinery, equipment, and electrical appliances.
