The European Union has granted Kenya Ksh.601.5 million (€5 million) to support the Safe Trade Emergency Facility implemented by Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA).
The contribution by Eurozone makes for the largest donor in the programme, rolled out in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep regional trade afloat even as countries wage war on the virus.
The funding is expected to fund measures to protect critical supply chains and keep borders open preserving jobs and livelihoods.
EU ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue as quoted by Citizen said:
“This action will support Kenya as the gateway to the EAC by making certain that all supply chains stay open and that food and all other critical supplies can reach their destinations. At the same time, we will support the Government in preventing COVID-19 spreading further because of cross border traffic. We are doing everything possible to support the economy. Saving jobs and businesses is saving lives,”
The programme is expected to provide mobile testing labs at the port of Mombasa and at key border crossings, complementing existing government facilities to prevent the virus from spreading at the trade hubs.