Kenya, Uganda Sign Trade Agreements as Tanzania Blocks Foreigners from Opening Some Businesses
- The government of Tanzania issued directives blocking foreign nationals, including Kenyans, from opening some businesses in the country
- Uganda president Yoweri Museveni visited Kenya for a landmark signing of eight additional trade agreements
- President William Ruto said the agreements will strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as mining and transport
Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Kenya and Uganda have signed eight additional memoranda of understanding to boost trade cooperation between the two states.
Source: UGC
President William Ruto welcomed the signing of the deals at State House, Nairobi, on Wednesday, July 30.
What Ruto said about Kenya-Uganda agreement
Ruto revealed that the agreements were built on the existing 17 deals between Nairobi and Kampala, aimed at strengthening cooperation in key sectors.
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The head of state cited collaboration in the mining sector, aimed at curbing border smuggling and improvements in the transport sector.
"I am pleased to announce the signing of the eight additional memoranda of understanding, building on the already existing 17 agreements in place. The new MoUs will foster and strengthen our legal and institutional co-operation across strategic sectors," said Ruto.
Which new agreements were signed between Kenya and Uganda?
The eight new memoranda of understanding are:
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Mining Sector
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Tourism
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Development of the Greater Busia Metro
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Investment Promotion
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Agriculture and Animal Industry
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Transport Matters
- Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Area of Standards
Source: Facebook
Extension of SGR to Uganda
On the cooperation of transport matters, the two heads of state discussed the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba and into Uganda.
Ruto also talked about the dualing of the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit road and its eventual extension to Malaba and Uganda.
Museveni emphasised that modern economies thrive on the production of goods and services.
Museveni called on young people to prioritise tapping into Africa's market.
Which businesses can't foreigners do in Tanzania?
The signing of the memoranda of understanding between the Kenyan government and the Ugandan government came after Tanzania issued directives blocking foreign nationals from starting 15 types of businesses.
Tanzania president Samia Suluhu took measures to protect locals from competition by foreign nationals doing business in the country.
Among the 15 businesses that Tanzania preserved for its citizens are:
- The business of the sale of goods on a wholesale and retail basis, excluding supermarkets, specialised product outlets, and wholesale centres for local producers.
- Mobile money transfers.
- Repair of mobile phones and electronic devices.
- Salon business, unless the business is conducted in a hotel or for tourism purposes
- Home, office and environmental cleanliness.
- Small-scale mining.
- Postal activities and parcel delivery within the country.
- Tour guiding within the country.
- Establishment and operation of radio and television.
- Operation of museums or curio shops.
- Brokerage or agency in businesses and real estate.
- Clearing and forwarding services.
- On-farm crop purchasing operations.
- Ownership or operation of gambling machines or devices, except within casino premises.
- Ownership and operation of micro and small industries.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
