![](https://kepsa.or.ke/images/Event-1.jpg" class="post-image img-fluid)
Lorem, ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Consequatur magnam molestias recusandae odit voluptate beatae dignissimos est nesciunt vitae repellendus a aliquid
KEPSA is the private sector apex and umbrella body set up in 2003, to bring together business community in a single voice to engage and influence public policy for an enabling business environment. over 500,000 direct and indirect members..
KEPSA
7th Floor, South Tower, Two Rivers, Limuru Rd, Nairobi.
info@kepsa.or.ke
WORKSHOP ON THE NATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE (NTFC)
- Published On: 2023-09-08
KEPSA being the Co-Chair of the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) in Kenya participated in the National Trade Facilitation Committee workshop that was held from 4th to 8th September 2023 in Machakos County. The focus of the workshop was to review the status of Category C and B measures in Kenya under the trade facilitation agreement.
In compliance with the recommendation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), Kenya has in place an NTFC which brings together key government agencies responsible for facilitating trade and various private sector business agencies that represent business voice and priority reforms in the committee. The NTFC is bestowed with the key mandate to facilitate the implementation of the WTO TFA which is divided into;
- Category A commitments; TFA measures that were already implemented by the time the TFA entered into force,
- Category B commitments; measures that require additional time for their implementation, and
- Category C commitments; measures that require additional time, as well as technical and financial assistance to be implemented.
NTFC Kenya has a total of 59 member agencies with 43 members from the public sector and 16 members from the private sector working under four Technical Working Groups (TWG);
- Customs Procedures – Chaired by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). This TWG should be focused on all customs-related matters addressed in the WTO TFA.
- Transparency and Information – Chaired by KenTrade. This TWG should be focused on all matters relating to transparency and availability of information
- Rules and Regulations – Chaired by the State Department for Trade & Enterprise Development (SDT&ED). This TWG should be focused on all legal and administrative procedures relating to TFA measures.
- Ports and Transit Trade – Chaired by the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA). This TWG is focused on all matters affecting ports and the Northern Corridor Community.
Article 6 on Disciplines on fees and charges imposed on or in connection with Importation and exportation and penalties by the different Partner Government Agencies (PGA) formed the core of private sector submissions in the meeting. Government agencies continue to introduce new fees without a focus on sustainability and certainty for the business environment therefore increasing the cost of doing business. The article was discussed at length with a resolve to have the PGA’s facilitated to ensure they periodically review their fees and charges with a view to reducing their number and diversity, where practicable. Other articles under TFA that were discussed were; release and clearance of goods, customs cooperation, transit facilitation, border agency cooperation, and customs procedures.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on the measures that had shifted from category B to C and vice versa; the full report is to be shared in due time.