The United States and Kenya are expected to finalize their seventh round of negotiations under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Nairobi on Friday, August 9, 2024.
This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to bring forth trade and investment ties between the two nations.
Leading the U.S. delegation is Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Constance Hamilton, while the Kenyan delegation is headed by Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo.
The negotiators last convened in June in Mombasa, Kenya, and have since made strides in resolving key differences.
This round of negotiations will address six critical topics:
- Agriculture
- Customs, Trade Facilitation, and Enforcement
- Environment
- Good Regulatory Practices
- Inclusivity
- Workers’ Rights and Protections
An outstanding feature of this round is a stakeholder listening session, co-chaired by Hamilton and K’Ombudo, providing an opportunity for direct engagement with various stakeholders.
Key Highlights of Negotiations
The STIP was launched on July 14, 2022, with a vision to foster enhanced engagement and high-standard commitments reflecting mutually shared goals and values across a broad spectrum of areas. The primary objectives of the STIP include:
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– Increasing Investment: Creating favorable conditions for boosting investment between the United States and Kenya.
– Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth: Ensuring that economic advancements benefit all sectors of society.
– Benefiting Workers, Consumers, and Businesses: Supporting micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises to thrive in a dynamic economic environment.
– Supporting African Regional Economic Integration: Facilitating greater economic cohesion within the African continent.
As the negotiations draw to a close, both Nairobi and Washington D.C anticipate that the outcomes will enhance their trade and investment relationship, contributing to broader economic growth and development in both regions even as President Joe Biden prepares to vacate office in January 2025.
