The European Union (EU) Ambassador Henriette Geiger has said that the EU-funded One Stop Border Post at Isebania-Sirare Border along the Kenya, Tanzania Borders will ease trade among the East Africa Community (EAC) Members.
Geiger, who gave a courtesy call to Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko on Tuesday while being accompanied by the Austria, Germany, Sweden and Poland Ambassadors to Kenya, encouraged the East Africa Community to emulate the European Union block to strengthen the economic aspect of individual counties, to foster peace and unity and enhance free trade and movement of EAC people.
The EU Ambassador applauded the EAC efforts in the aspect of integration noting that the block was the most advanced compared to all the existing regional blocks in Africa.
Geiger also added that the free trade and economic partnership agreements between the European Union and Kenya will enhance the business trade through the duty-free access to goods and services between Kenya and the EU.
She also confirmed the EU’s position to strengthen cooperation directly with the counties to ensure that the services of the government benefit individuals at the lowest levels.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko who welcomed the EU delegation at his office said that the union has been involved in numerous projects in sectors of agriculture, trade and environment.
Ochilo affirmed that the signed cooperation agreement between the national government and the EU will help counties to actualise, develop and explore huge opportunities within the country.
Ochilo noted that Migori has continued benefiting from the EU support in areas of agriculture, blue economy and fishery with an intention to partner further in climate change and climate-smart agriculture.
He added that the support by the EU to help in East Africa Community (EAC) integration through the One Stop Border Post will benefit Migori County due to its proximity with Tanzania and Uganda.
He applauded the EU’s commitment to supporting the Kenyan devolution as an avenue to expand democracy and taking services closer to people.
EU has supported several development projects in the county with the most notable one being the completed Shs117 million processing plant at Getonganya In Kuria West Sub County.
