Interview: Zero-tariff access to China opportunity to boost Kenyan competitiveness, value addition, says trade official

NAIROBI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya views the zero-tariff access to the Chinese market not merely as a trade preference but as a strategic opportunity to enhance its export competitiveness, accelerate industrial value addition and expand market reach, a senior Kenyan trade official has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Regina Ombam, principal secretary of the State Department for Trade of Kenya, said access to China's vast market provides a crucial platform for Kenya to elevate its economic potential.

"I think when we got into the Early Harvest arrangement, which was taking effect from May 1 with the zero tariff, our big thinking was around how do we make Kenya competitive?" she said.

The tariff arrangement is viewed not merely as an export channel, but as an opportunity to showcase Kenya's premium products. Ombam noted that Kenya looked at it "as an opportunity for us to showcase how special Kenya is and what special things Kenya has and how willing Kenya is ready to share these special things that it has with other people as far as China."

Highlighting Kenya's agricultural strengths, she noted growing Chinese demand for high-quality produce, particularly tea, avocados, and fresh vegetables.

"Everybody says Kenyan tea is good quality; Kenyan tea is the best. And so taking tea to China was really another big plus for us given the big market that we were looking at," she said, adding that Chinese consumers are increasingly keen on organic, "farm-to-table" food.

Beyond trade in commodities, Ombam emphasized that cooperation with China is driving technology transfer and supporting Kenya's manufacturing agenda through industrial park development.

"So when we move our economy to think export, think industry, then we are basically now saying we are transforming the economy from dependence on just raw materials to now invest and engage and move towards industrialization and ensure that our products now are of value in terms of the value addition that the processes are done to it," she said.

Praising China's work ethic and practical approach to innovation, Ombam said the partnership is built on mutual respect. "We are looking at China as a partner that is able to actually see us grow, which is a very good thing for us," she said, adding that Kenya is already learning from China's focus on efficiency and effective solutions tailored to local environments.

Furthermore, Ombam pointed out that Kenya serves as a strategic gateway for investors seeking to tap into broader African markets through the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.