No-deal boon for exporters
Business
By
Frankline Sunday
| Mar 14, 2019
Kenyan exporters to the United Kingdom stand to reap big following the country’s move to review import tariffs in anticipation of a no-deal Brexit vote.
The UK’s Department of International Trade yesterday released new guidelines, slashing import duty on 87 per cent of imports to zero in an attempt to cushion local consumers from price shocks.
“If the UK leaves the European Union with no deal, you may need to pay different rates of customs duty on imports,” said UK’s Department of International Trade in a statement on its website. Exporters dealing in fish, horticulture, leather, tea and coffee are among the biggest winners if MPs vote to exit without a deal.
Other products that have been zero-rated in the proposed tariff guide include textiles, footwear, aluminium and base metals.
The UK Government said the rates are temporary and will run for a year beginning March 29 as the country establishes new import and export tariffs post-Brexit. However, the UK has maintained duty on several food products, including beef, poultry meat, pork and selected milk products in a bid to protect local farmers.
READ MORE
Funds misuse, low skills hamper Nairobi's bid to tap green finance
Tea firm moves to address sexual abuse
Why tech experts are against regulation of fast-growing AI
Boost for farmers as state seeks to expand mango processing plant
Bridging the digital divide calls for inclusive development
Treasury to cut borrowing, spending on shortfall in revenue collection
State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms
Why Kenya must move fast to invest in digital rights security
State, workers' pay tensions cloud function
Why the super-rich are ditching commercial property investments
On Tuesday British MPs voted against Prime Minister Theresa May’s second attempt to push through a deal hammered between the EU and the UK, spelling out terms for leaving the 28-member economic bloc.
The debate is still ongoing on whether the country will leave the EU without a deal, go for a second referendum or extend negotiations.
The UK is Kenya’s second largest export market in the EU, with exports to the country in 2017 standing at Sh38.5 billion.
- Funds misuse, low skills hamper Nairobi's bid to tap green finance
- State to shut down 25 entities, privatise others in new reforms
- Growing demand for housing births modern mansions in Nakuru slums
- Sugarcane farmers accuse AFA of 'siding with cartels' as prices drop