Regional integration initiatives enable ACP countries to benefit from economies of scale, attract investment, make feasible joint infrastructure and industrial development projects, among other benefits that would be foregone under the EPAs deals.
Kombo, who presided over a coordination meeting between the African members of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly and the African Group of ambassadors last week in Brussels, Belgium, called on the EU to continue negotiating the EPAs deal under the EAC banner.
Of the 79 ACP states, 18 have ratified full EPAs, while 18 have signed partial agreements.
While there is urgency to negotiate EPAs, Kombo sees the deal benefitting Europe more than it does to Kenya.
Under EPAs arrangement, ACP countries will need to open their markets to EU imports to a significant degree. A likely scenario is that ACP countries will eliminate tariffs for about 80 per cent of imports.
"Negotiations must be held on equal partner basis," Kombo told Financial Journal.
Questions are being raised as to why Kenya should rush into signing EPAs when they are skewed in favour of European countries.
A review Kenyaâs exports to Europe reveals the country exports mostly agricultural products - horticulture (flowers, vegetables and fruits), tea, coffee and fish â with little value addition.
In contrast Kenyaâs main imports from the EU are value added products such as machinery, electronic, equipment, chemicals, vehicles pulp and paper.
Under the current trade regime, EPAs would forever condemn Kenya to export raw materials instead of finished goods.
Implementation of EPAs is associated with certain losses and gains. The potential gains are low pricing for consumers of imported goods, capital and intermediate goods sourced from the EU.
Kenya is both a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and EAC which both account for about 30 per cent and 35 per cent of Kenyan exports, respectively.
