Change import rules on cut flowers, Kenya urges Japan

A worker packs flowers for export at Finlays in Naivasha, Nakuru County on February 10, 2015. Kenya wants Japan to review mandatory fumigation of flowers exported to the Asian nation from Nairobi. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH

What you need to know:

  • In a meeting with Japan’s state minister of economy, trade and industry Daishio Yamagiwa, Ms Mohammed called on Japanese companies to participate in the development of a free port in Mombasa.
  • During the visit, the minister also urged Japan to consider assembling motorcycles in Kenya to help create jobs and support economic growth.

Kenya wants Japan to review mandatory fumigation of flowers exported to the Asian nation from Nairobi.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet secretary Amina Mohamed made the request to the Japanese vice-president of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Akio Koizumi during bilateral talks held in Tokyo, last week.

“Under the present arrangement, flowers exported to Japan are required to be inspected and fumigated at the port of entry. This requirement has imposed extra costs on exporters, eroding their benefits,” said Amb Mohamed.

WIDE CONSULTATIONS

She presented a proposal by the Flower Council of Kenya for a review of the fumigation requirement.

Mr Koizumi acknowledged the challenges the requirement has imposed on exporters, but called for wider consultations among all the stakeholders on the way forward.

“We will consult with authorities responsible for standards and engage with the Kenya Bureau of Standards with a view to working out a way forward,” said Mr Koizumi.

Ms Mohammed was part of a Kenyan delegation that accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta on an official visit to Japan last week.

During the visit, the minister also urged Japan to consider assembling motorcycles in Kenya to help create jobs and support economic growth.

Avoid tariffs

“This will also enable Japan to meet the East African Community’s local content requirements and avoid the tariffs imposed on motorcycles,” said Ms Mohamed.

In a meeting with Japan’s state minister of economy, trade and industry Daishio Yamagiwa, Ms Mohammed called on Japanese companies to participate in the development of a free port in Mombasa.

“Currently, traders in the East and Central Africa region depend on the free port of Dubai for goods. This is expensive considering the distance, the travel and shipping costs involved,” she said.

“A free port in Mombasa will therefore go a long way in reducing costs and consequently enhance intra-regional trade.”

COMESA MARKET

The Cabinet secretary said involvement of Japanese firms in the development of the port would enable them access the huge Comesa market, which has a population of over 450 million.

On the World Trade Organisation conference to be hosted in Nairobi in December, Ms Mohamed called for wide consultations to thrash out outstanding issues ahead of the forum.

“We intend to convene a mini-ministerial conference ahead of the main conference to facilitate broad consensus on the deliverables of the 10th ministerial conference in Nairobi,” said Ms Mohamed.

“It is only in this way that we will ensure a successful conference in December.”