Kenya and South Africa have renewed efforts to deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation following the 7th Session of the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) held in South Africa.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam, who said the two countries remain committed to expanding trade and investment opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking during the session, Ombam noted that the meeting provided an important platform for both countries to assess the progress of their trade relations, address existing barriers and identify new areas of cooperation aimed at boosting intra-African trade.
She said Kenya and South Africa are seeking to strengthen economic partnerships in line with continental integration efforts that encourage increased trade among African nations.
A major outcome of the session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya Bureau of Standards and the South African Bureau of Standards.
The agreement is expected to enhance collaboration in standards development, quality assurance and conformity assessment, measures officials say are critical in facilitating smoother trade between the two countries.
The Joint Trade Commission serves as a bilateral mechanism for strengthening commercial relations, resolving trade concerns and promoting investment opportunities across key sectors of the economy.
Kenya has been pushing to expand its export markets and leverage the AfCFTA framework to increase access to regional markets while promoting value-added products and industrial growth.