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Kenyan exports to Tanzania rebound and COMESA extends sugar imports for two years
New data released this week by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveal that exports to Tanzania have increased 28.6% at the same time last year. The rebound in trade underscores improving trade relations among neighboring countries after the two countries agreed to end their trade dispute earlier this year. The dispute involved both tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, such as duty-free access for Kenyan textiles, delays at border points and the need for standardized inspection fees. The data also show that exports of goods to Uganda, another member of the East African Community (EAC), declined slightly, becoming the third largest export market Kenyans between January and May 2018, after Pakistan and the Netherlands.
In related trade news, the Council of Ministers of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) accepted Kenya's request for a two-year extension of the limits for sugar imports. In this way, Kenya has protected its local sugar producers from competition for more than a decade and, in 2015, invoked the infantry clause of the COMESA agreement to protect the news sugar factories set up in the country. As part of the extension, COMESA will establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the requirements specified in the agreement. Although Kenya Trade Secretary Chris Kiptoo noted that "it is highly unlikely that the sector has put in place the conditions set by COMESA at the end of the two years because of the structural problems that are confronted the sugarers. "
100 birthday
On July 18, the world celebrated the Nelson Mandela Day, which marked the centenary of his birth on July 18, 1918. Every year, the birthday of the former South President -africain is generally recognized in the world by philanthropic initiatives; This year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation dedicated Mandela Day to "Action Against Poverty," calling people to "act and inspire change" on his behalf on the occasion of the centennial. The current South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, a protégé of Mandela, said he would mark Mandela Day by donating half of his annual presidential salary to a fund run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and urged others to do the same. He spent Mandela Day in Mvezo in Eastern Cape Province, birthplace of Mandela, attended the opening of a health clinic, participated in a tree planting ceremony and contributed the distribution of blankets to the elderly. In Johannesburg, Mandela was commemorated with a discussion forum organized by former US President Barack Obama, a march led by Machel Graca, the widow of Mandela, and the publication of bank notes commemorating the day. former chief. In a stadium where 15,000 people were present, former President Barack Obama called Mandela "the last great liberator of the twentieth century". Obama also took the opportunity to remind leaders – in Africa and elsewhere – that the world needs strong institutions. Men warn: "The politics of the strong is rising, suddenly, by which elections and some pretexts of democracy are maintained, but those in power seek to undermine any institution or norm that gives meaning to democracy." [19659004] across the continent
Last Friday, the Kenyan government announced that eight critically endangered rhinos died after being transported to a sanctuary to preserve the species. Wildlife workers believe that drinking rhino drinking water with a high salt content has caused death. The Kenyan government has launched an investigation to deepen the issue. Many policymakers fear that the death of rhinos will weigh heavily on the country's tourism industry, where wildlife tourism is a major attraction.
In March, the last male white rhino, Sudan, died at the Ol Peteja Conservatory in Kenya. The white rhinos have been hunted to extinction, and today only two remain: Sudan's daughter and granddaughter. Last week, reports revealed that researchers are now working to resuscitate the animal through research on IVF and stem cells. Hybrid embryos have been created and will now be implanted in a southern white rhinoceros substitute.
In other parts of the continent, Botswana, home to the world's largest population of elephants, announced this week that it was considering lifting the ban on hunting. For Sport. The Botswana government has said that the estimated 130,000 elephant population by environmental advocates is underestimated by 100,000 people and that the large elephant population has begun to cause deaths. problems for small farmers in the north of the country. According to MP Konstantinos Markus, harvesting elephants reduced the yield of maize by 72 percent
Note: Kiara Rodriguez Gallego contributed to this position.
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