Sudan’s VP promises action on tea export
By LUCAS BARASA , The Nation
NAIROBI, Oct. 29, 2003 — Kenyan tea worth more than Sh500 million is still being held at a Sudanese port.
The 6,000-tonne consignment has been at the port since July 31 when it was blocked from entering the country.
However, Trade and Industry minister Mukhisa Kituyi says the tea would be released soon.
Sudan Vice-President Ali Osman Taha, who met the minister at his Nairobi office, promised to ensure the produce was released.
Mr Taha, however, urged Kenyan tea exporters to adhere to the Sudanese regulations and standards.
His country, he added, would also help expand the Kenya tea and coffee market in the Arabian peninsular.
Dr Kituyi thanked the neighbouring state for releasing part of the consignment and extending a deadline for Kenyan traders to meet the country’s trade demands.
About 60,000 tonnes of Kenyan tea was blocked at Port Sudan on July 31 because of wrong packaging.
Khartoum wants Kenyan traders to pack the commodity in 1kg packets but has not released specifications of packaging materials. The tea seized at the port was packed in 4.5kg and 11.25kg bags.
The Sudanese government had given Kenyan traders until July 31 to comply but they did not meet the demands. In mid October, Dr Kituyi called on Sudan to extend the deadline to February next year.
Both the Kenyan and Sudanese traders have incurred heavy losses following the new demands.
Yesterday, the Trade and Industry minister called on Sudan to tell Kenya its new standards for tea exports.
He also called on Kenyan traders to improve the packaging to compete effectively in the Sudanese market.
He noted that though the trade between the two countries favoured Kenya “there is great potential that needs to be tapped with a view on increasing the trade between the two countries.”
In 2002, for instance, he said, Kenya’s export to Sudan stood at Sh2.8 billion compared to Sh254 million imports.
Recalling that Sudan was an important partner in COMESA, the minister said Kenya would do everything possible to encourage legitimate trade between the two countries for their mutual benefit.
Prof Bukenya said Sudan stood to benefit greatly from Kenya’s manufacturing sector which he said was well developed.
He however called for improvement of communication between the two countries to boost trade and investments.
For example, he said, there was need for a road and rail network connecting Kenya and southern Sudan and access to Kenyan airports by Sudanese aircrafts to expedite airlift of essential commodities to and from Sudan.