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Kenya eyes EU market as FTA opens new trade avenues

The FTA, known as the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Kenya, was signed on September ** last year. Kenya is actively promoting its cotton, textile, and apparel industry across its manufacturing sector. Being labour-intensive, the industry employs both semi-skilled and unskilled workers, making it a key contributor to rural livelihoods.

According to Fibre2Fashion’s market insight tool TexPro, Kenya exported apparel worth $***.*** million between January and June ****. However, the country remained heavily dependent on North America, with $***.*** million of exports, accounting for **.** per cent of the total. The United States and Canada are the major destinations. In contrast, Kenya’s apparel exports to Europe (including the EU and other European nations) were recorded at $*.*** million, a mere *.** per cent of its total apparel exports during the same period.