Kenya to secure its own trade deal with EU if Tanzania refuses to sign EPA

The government of Kenya might seek to secure its own trade deal with EU if Tanzania back out in signing the EPA, East African Affairs Principal Secretary Betty Maina has said.

This will depend on  the Heads of Stares Summit scheduled for next month to decide on the deal, after that held  in Dar es Salaam on September 8 failed.

Tanzanian President John Magufuli, who chaired the summit last year, said the bloc will continue to discuss the EPA, and hopefully conclude it at the beginning of this year.

Principal Secretary Betty Maina said “Tanzania has refused to sign,That is what they have said publicly. The decision has to be made by the summit next month.

She said if Tanzania refuses to sign the deal, Kenya might do to so . This is according to  article seven of the EAC Treaty which allows for “progression in co-operation among a sub-group of members in a larger integration scheme in a variety of areas and at different speeds.