Kenya is ready to host COMESA Heads summit

Experts of Comesa policy organs are in Nairobi for a meeting to polish out issues to be presented to the Council of Ministers ahead of the Comesa Heads of State summit to be held on 22nd to 23rd of this month at Gigiri in Nairobi.

Apart from hosting the Summit Kenya will also be showcasing her products for marketing.

Speaking to Kenyan Journalists in Lusaka, Zambia Secretary general of Comesa Erastus Mwencha expressed optimism that Comesa would soon become a customs union.

Kenya will be hosting the 12TH Comesa heads of state summit in Gigiri Nairobi beginning next week.

The event will present an opportunity for Kenya to showcase herself as a viable investment destination.

COMESA is the largest African economic bloc comprising of 20 Member States.

Since member countries agreed to trade under Free Trade Kenya accounted for over 800 million US dollars in intra Comesa trade by 2005 with key exports coming from black fermented tea, cement and steel products.

The summit will address strengthening and consolidating of the free trade area.

Speaking to Kenyan business Journalists at the Comesa secretariat in Lusaka Zambia, secretary General Erastus Mwencha said he was optimistic the heads of state would address challenges hindering trade within member states and ultimately move Comesa into a customs union.

The summit will also focus on the progress on Economic partnership Agreement negotiations with the European union.

Kenya will also be expecting feedback on the extension of safeguard measures on duty free sugar from the Comesa ministerial council.

Source