Kenya Trade Remedies Agency Board

Kenya Trade Remedies Agency Board inaugurated
By Ivy Wagara

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Enterprise Development, Ms. Betty Maina, officially inaugurated the Board of Directors of the Kenya Trade Remedies Agency –KETRA. The agency was established by Trade Remedies Act, 2017. The inaugurated Board will operationalize the agency as per section 3 of the Act, guided by the Legal and Institutional framework for the implementation of Trade Remedies in Kenya, in accordance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Law on Trade Remedies. 

KETRA will investigate and evaluate allegations of dumping and subsidization of imported products in Kenya and evaluate requests for application of safeguard measures on imported goods. Further, the Agency will provide an opportunity to plug safety valves to protect domestic industries from unfair import trade practices or import surges, allowing them to obtain a desirable level of competitiveness and survival.

The Agency is critical for the success of the Manufacturing pillar of the Big 4 Agenda. Most affected industries range from steel, footwear, textiles and batteries; to agro-processing. “Therefore, the use of Trade Defense instruments to protect Kenya’s manufacturing industry will realize the aspirations towards ushering in a strengthened and robust manufacturing sector, said Cabinet Secretary.

Once operationalized, KETRA will work to deliver on its mandate through a collaborative multi-agency framework with the Anti-Counterfeits Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and other enforcement Agencies to ensure a level playing for Kenyan manufacturers through a reduction or complete elimination of illicit goods in the country, aiding the Government to continue to improve the environment for doing business in the country with a view to enhancing its regional and global competitiveness.