Global recovery renews interest in Kenya’s EPZs

Four oil-producing countries account for more than 90 per cent of the $56 billion that Africa earned from the sale of goods and services to the US under the Agoa pact as per the 2008 data.

Export of crude oil, precious metals, medicinal chemicals, oil seeds, steel has grown steadily under AGOA while exports of motor vehicles and parts, computer peripherals, consumer electronics, lumber and apparel dropped.

Exporters blame the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) which they say sometimes takes up to three years to clear a single agricultural product to start trading in the US market, making the Agoa dream of increased trade a mirage.

The total value of Kenya’s exports to the US has decline from $277 million in 2004, $270 million in 2005, $262 in 2006, $ 249 million in 2007 and $246 last year.