WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/ST/43
18May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-1991)
Original: English MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
KENYA
Statement Circulated byTheHon. J.J.Kamotho, EGH, MP,
Minister forTrade
ThisMinisterial meeting istaking place ontheoccasion ofthe50thAnniversary ofthe
establishment ofthemultilateral trading system (MTS). Ittherefore provides atimely occasion for
anevaluation oftheachievements andshortcomings, aswellasthechallenges andopportunities facing
thesystem. Kenya appreciates therolepreviously played byGATT, andnowbyWTO inencouraging
opentrade regimes anddismantling tariffs andnon-tariff barriers inthetrade ingoods andservices.
Kenya iscommitted toatransparent, fairandequitable rule-based multilateral trading system under
theWTO.
However, themultilateral trading system stillfaces daunting challenges. These include the
effective integration andparticipation ofalldeveloping countries, including LDCs, insuchawayas
tomaximize thedevelopment dividend andpotential benefits tobegained fromthesystem. Thesystem
should work towards providing meaningful access tomarkets forproducts ofexport interests to
developing countries. Itshould alsoensure thatbenefits areequitably distributed.
Kenya isparticipating atthisConference which isthesecond since weestablished theWTO,
when ourmemories arestillfresh withthedifficulties wewent through during theUruguay Round
negotiations. Butfinally wewere abletotrade offandcompromise invaried areas andsucceeded.
thefinalactestablished rules, rights andobligations which wecommitted ourselves toinorder tofully
andequally participate intheWTO multilateral trading system.
Itisinthisspirit thatMinisters aregathered heretoday toshare theirexperiences forthe
betterment oftheworld economy. Wehopetousethisoccasion toassess theimplementation process
oftheWTO Agreements taking intoaccount thevarious problems andlimitations ofthedeveloping
economies likeKenya.
Weshouldnotviewtheseagreementsasendsinthemselvesbutasinvaluablemeansofalleviating
poverty, raising standards ofliving, ensuring fullemployment, andsustained economic growth and
development forourcountries. Theyshould alsobeusedtopromote technological progress andadvance
thecause ofworld peace andharmony.
Inthisregard, Iwishtoregister ourappreciation forthecontinued technical assistance that
theWTO, UNCTAD, ITCanddonor countries haveextended toKenya. Theassistance hasgonea
longwayinhelping usunderstand theWTO legalframework which iscrucial toourparticipation in
themultilateral trading system. Iwould appeal forextension oftheassistance tocover country-specific
studies ontheimpact oftheimplementation oftheWTO Agreements.
./.WT/MIN(98)/ST/43
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Some ofKenya 'sexperience withtheimplementation process oftheWTO Agreements, can
briefly bedescribed asfollows.
Tariffs andnon-tariff barriers
Thebindingoftariffsgivescertaintyandpredictabilityforexportmarkets.However,thebenefits
thatcould haveaccrued fromtariffremoval andreductions havebeennegated bytheuseofunwarranted
sanitary andphytosanitary measures andother technical barriers totrade. Inthisregard, Kenya calls
onallWTO Members toimplement theAgreements inboththespritandtheletter without creating
unnecessary barriers which appear todiscriminate against thegeographic source ofproducts. Incases
where some restrictions arejustified, Kenya would appreciate ifthenecessary technical assistance was
provided inorder tomeetthecriteria forentering suchmarkets. Some ofourproducts which arealready
threatened include freshfish,cutflowers andfreshfruits andvegetables andotherhorticultural produce.
Textiles andclothing
Mycountry views theintegration oftextile andclothing products intoGATT 1994 asagain
toitstextile industry. However, thisgainisunlikely toberealized untiltheendoftheimplementation
period since 49percentoftheproducts particularly those considered sensitive bymajor importers
willnotbeintegrated until1January 2005. Inthespirit ofboosting world tradeintextile andclothing
sector, wewishtorequest major importers toconsider faster integration ofproducts ofexport interest
todeveloping countries.
TRIPS
Kenya lacks technological infrastructure andother pertinent resources thatwould enable her
togainsignificantly fromtheTrade-Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights Agreement. This
means thatwearelikely toincur higher costs interms ofroyalties when thetransition period for
implementing theAgreement expires intheyear2000. Thiscostwillnodoubt betransferred tothe
consumers resulting insocial welfare andeconomic loss. Inthisregard, wewould welcome action
thatwould assist developing andleast-developed countries inthetransfer oftechnologies ataffordable
rates.
Trade inservices
Kenya appreciates theprogressive liberalization oftrade inservices andseesitasagrowth
areainthedevelopment ofhereconomy. Inthisconnection, mycountry strongly appeals totheWTO
Member countries toappreciate andutilize thepoolofprofessionally qualified andcompetitively prices
services providers available inKenya.
Further work
Asconcerns thefuture work programme, Iwish toobserve thatKenya, likemost other
developing countries aretoday overburdened andstillgrappling withtheeffects oftheimplementation
oftheoutcome oftheUruguay Round. Itis,therefore, Kenya 'sviewthatnewissues should notbe
introduced intotheWTO agenda untilthepending issues inthebuilt-in agenda arecompleted.
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