President William Ruto and his Tanzanian counterpart President Samia Suluhu have pledged to improve the two country’s trade ties by eradicating possible barriers.
Speaking to the media after holding bilateral talks at the Tanzanian state house, President Ruto revealed that the discussion was centered on enhancing ties and ways in which the two nations can gain.
According to President Ruto, once his cabinet is sworn in, the first task will be figuring out how the 14 trade restrictions between Kenya and Tanzania can be lifted before the end of the year.
“Once Kenya’s Cabinet Secretaries are approved by Parliament, those concerned with EAC matters will meet their Tanzania counterparts to work on the modalities of resolving the outstanding trade barriers to pave way for improved business activities,” said President Ruto.
The Head of state observed that the removal of 56 trade barriers between Kenya and Tanzania has positively impacted exports from the two countries.
“When you and Uhuru worked on barriers to trade, most people thought it would benefit Kenya, but it has benefited Tanzania more,” President Ruto said.
“It is clear that the increase in trade benefits everybody, that increase in trade is where we want to go, we want to double that trade,” the president added.
Further, Dr. Ruto said as part of the efforts to lower the energy tariffs, there is a need to expedite the gas pipeline project from Dar es Salaam to Mombasa which the two leaders have agreed to start working on.
“The project upon completion would make our countries competitive for investment as there will be sufficient energy for development,” said Dr. Ruto.
At the same time, President Suluhu affirmed that technocrats have already been directed to start working on the implementation of the gas project with the correct measures in place.