Kenya relaxes rules for Tanzania maize imports after bilateral talks – KBC

Kenya has relaxed conditions imposed on maize imports from Tanzania following a presidential directive clearing maize trucks from the neighbouring country.

The move follows bilateral talks held between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart President Samia Suluhu which resulted to the two countries agreeing to relax trade restrictions to facilitate movement of goods and services between Kenya and Tanzania.

To that effect, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has reduced the process of getting import papers to a day with importers required to register with the Authority’s Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and present a copy of the Certificate of Registration to the inspector at the border point.

However, those importing maize from Tanzania will will still be required to have a Certificate of Conformity before the produce is allowed into Kenya.

As at the end of March this year, only one importer had met the stringent regulations set by the government to import maize from Tanzania.

The rules were put in place by the government after it lifted a blanket ban on maize imports from the neighboring countries on concerns of high aflatoxin levels.

AFA adds that upon successful application, an importer shall be issued with a registration certificate online within the same day of application.

The Certificate of Conformity from a competent Authority in the exporting country is meant to certify the safety of the consignments and the produce will not be subjected to any further analysis.

The announcement has been welcomed by traders who said it will promote seamless trade between the two neighboring countries.