New Trade agency to scale up war on fakes

The Trade ministry will form a new agency as it steps up the fight against counterfeits and dumping of cheaper imports.

 Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo (right) said at the weekend the law for the establishment of a Trade Remedy Agency had already been assented to by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The agency, he said, would investigate and impose anti-dumping, countervailing and trade safeguard measures.

Kenya Bureau of Standard (KEBS) Quality Assistance and Inspection officers sample some of the counterfeits worth Sh2 million sized in most parts of the North Rift region in Eldoret in a past operation (PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG|STANDARD)

“The ministry will work with the Anti-counterfeit Agency to ensure there are no more counterfeits,” said Dr Kiptoo.

 He spoke during the Academy for Global Business Advancement’s 14th Annual World Congress hosted by Moi University in Eldoret.

The agency will also impose a tariff or other necessary permissible measures to protect specific sectors of the economy.

Uasin Gishu Trade Executive Emily Kogos said the county would partner with the national government and other institutions to improve the business environment. More than 20 countries took part in this year’s event.