New accord to boost trade between Kenya and Egypt

©Ognjen Stevanovic via 123RF

President Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement after hosting his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi on Sunday at State House.

The talks here were highly punctuated by need to boost economic relations.

"We have agreed to fast-track and conclude our bilateral agreement on double taxation before the end of this year," President Kenyatta said.

The decision means that goods from either countries will only be subjected to import duty.

President Kenyatta said this will boost tea exports to Egypt, for example, which used to be Kenya's second largest importer, before the Arab Spring in 2011.

The two leaders also vowed to cooperate on the use of the Nile, a sticking issue between Egypt and riparian countries of the world's longest river.

It was the first visit by a sitting Egyptian head of state.

Daily Nation