Kenya: Trade relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands has strengthened significantly by leading to substantial growth in the export of horticultural products via sea freight.
Ambassador of Netherland to Kenya – Henk Jan Bakker said that both countries stand to benefit that they will gain from further enhancing freight capacity of Kenya’s sea.
Reportedly, Kenya signed an agreement with the Netherlands to establish a Cool Logistics Corridor, which is a specialized sea freight system for fresh produce, last year.
The envoy made the remarks today when he paid a courtesy call to the Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director – Capt. William Ruto.
He highlighted that it is Netherlands’ commitment to its trade ties with Kenya and expressed the interest in exploring reliable sea freight solutions for perishable goods.
The ambassador was accompanied by officials from Trade Mark Africa. Formerly known as Trade Mark East Africa, is an Aid-for-Trade organisation which was established in 2010. The company aims of growing prosperity through increase in trade.
TMA operates on a not-for-profit basis which is funded by several nations such as Belgium, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Denmark, Canada, the European Union, France, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Norway.
The firm works closely with the regional intergovernmental organisations that includes the African Union (AU), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), the East Africa Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), National Governments, and also the private sector and civil society organisations.
Considerably, the Horticultural products account for more than 70% of domestic exports of Kenya to the Netherlands, exporting 65% of its cut flowers to the market. Moreover, there are promising opportunities for trade in mangoes, avocados and pineapples.
According to Capt. Ruto the Kenya Ports Authority has made significant investments to enhance export of fresh produce by introducing priority lane for trucks transporting horticultural products to the port.
The Managing Director mentioned to the visitors about the increased number of reefer points at the Port of Mombasa and the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nairobi to ensure seamless transportation of highly perishable goods.
During the ceremony, he explained KPA’s collaboration with Kenya Railways to provide reefer wagons for transporting horticultural products via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) adding there are plans to develop a reliable train schedule for bringing fresh produce to the Port of Mombasa.