President Uhuru Kenyatta tells EU to buy more African goods

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with delegates attending the 39th session of the African Caribbean and Pacific European Union Council of Ministers after it’s official opening at KICC, Nairobi, Thursday. [PHOTO: tabitha otwori/STANDARD]

President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed the European Union decision to grant Kenya Sh52 billion to finance the transport and agricultural sectors in the next seven years.

Speaking at the ongoing joint session of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council and the European Union in Nairobi, the President said the funding would provide the much need assistance to address development projects in the country.

“The coming into force of the funding under the EU Development Fund provides a seamless link in the process of development support under this partnership,” he said.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and EU Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs are to sign the agreement in Nairobi.

Some of the cash has been earmarked to boost roads in Nairobi to ease the frequent traffic jams, as well as increase food production and governance.

Sustainable development

Uhuru also called on the EU to improve access of African goods into their markets so as to help stimulate sustainable development in Africa and roll back poverty.

“It is my desire that countries and regions should go for sustainable and optimal trade and development agreements that will help integrate ACP countries into the global economy as envisaged in the founding instruments of the partnership,” he said.

On his part, Co-President of the EU Council of Ministers Alvan Baptiste said the EU is looking forward to strengthen partnership with ACP countries on trade as well as extending funding opportunities to stimulate economic development, trade and infrastructure in the developing countries.