Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps his Department has taken to promote free trade with the East African Community after the UK leaves the EU.

As the Prime Minister said in her visit to the region last year, the UK wants to deepen its trading relations with EAC and is increasing its presence in the region.

Our immediate priority is a smooth transition in our trading relations with East Africa as the UK prepares to leave the EU. The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Act enables the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries including the countries of the EAC.

In Kenya, we are promoting bilateral trade opportunities in many areas, including infrastructure, energy and healthcare.