World trade meeting to cost Sh800 million

Sh800 million will be spent to host the World Trade Organisation conference in Nairobi in December.

The conference is expected to bring 5,000 delegates from more than 130 countries.

The event is expected to help the government fight misinformation regarding the country’s security in the globe following recent terrorism in Kenya.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amina Mohammed, however, said that despite the huge budget, the government had allocated Sh400 million with an equal amount still in deficit.

“As you appreciate, the hosting of a conference of this magnitude requires enormous financial, human and technical resources,” said Ms Mohammed.

She said: “It is estimated that the conference will cost Sh800 million. The government has allocated Sh400 million towards hosting the conference.”

The Cabinet Secretary said a successful conference, to be held in Nairobi in December, should include a post-Bali/Nairobi programme that is realistic, balanced and which modernises the World Trade Organisation negotiating agenda and puts the organisation back in the centre field. 

“The work programme should be substantively robust, reflect the fundamentals in the Doha agenda as well as issues that will ensure that the organisation is relevant and adaptable,” said Ms Mohammed.

She said the outcome of tenth ministerial conference should include resolutions on cotton and an understanding on food production; services; trade and the environment; fishery subsidies; and expanded information technology agreement. 

The government has created 10 sub-committees to manage the planning of the major international event.

The committees will cover conference facilities, security, registration, hotel accommodation, budget and procurement, publicity and communication, transport, protocol and liaison, health and medical services and exhibitions.