Pre-qualification of Suppliers Tender (2017-2018) - East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) is in the process of compiling its list of suppliers for the period 2017/2018. Interested suppliers are invited to apply for per-qualification indicating the goods or services they can supply or offer.
Member Functions
On Tuesday 12th April 2016, EATTA hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Hon. Willy Bett, the Acting Interim Head of Tea Directorate Mr. Samuel Ogola, and Member of Parliament for Makueni as well as member of the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Hon. Daniel Maanzo.
This is the first visit by the Cabinet Secretary since he was appointed to the position in December 2015. On hand to meet with the CS were EATTA Board members including Mr. Jacob Kahiu, Mr. Gideon Mugo, Mr. Simon Gikanga and Mr. Ben Gitonga.
In his remarks to those present, Mr. Bett said that he had not received the final report of the task force constituted to look into the tea industry. He said that the Government was keen to adopt the recommendations in the task force in as far as it would be of benefit to the tea producer. He said that he was looking into the recommendation that the Ad Valorem Levy be reduced from 1% to 0.75%. He asked for a confirmation that the benefit of the reduction of the levy would accrue to the producer.
The CS was informed that of fact that the Mombasa Auction was a multi origin market, any tax subjected to teas from one origin in exclusion to other origin teas will disadvantage that tea. A buyer will discount the cost of the tax on Kenyan tea to cover the amount they will need to pay.
The CS wanted to know why the prices had been declining since the end of January. It was explained to him that the decline in prices is as a result of the increase in volume offered that is up 19% compared to the same period in 2015.
The Secretary of State for International Development in the UK, Hon. Justine Greening, was in Mombasa to assess the progress of Kenya in terms of trade, investment and economic growth, supported by her government.
As part of the programme, she met key private sector players based in Mombasa to discuss on trade, economic policy and regulatory matters. She also sought to know more about transport infrastructure; doing business and investing in Mombasa; and priorities of the County of Mombasa. EATTA was represented in the meeting by the Trade Development Manager Mr. Brian Ngwiri. In the discussions held, Brian articulated the challenges faced by Mombasa based businesses caused by the poor road network, irregular and unreliable power supply and the Mombasa County Governments haphazard charging of cess and levies that are costly for the businesses based here. On tea specific issues that the tea industry is experiencing, Brian informed the Secretary for International Development that support for value addition initiatives including developing a common user facility would be a positive development. Brian gave the Secretary of State an update on the progress on automation of the Mombasa Tea Auction and the support from TradeMark East Africa. Brian, informed Ms Greening on the necessary support that would be welcome from TMEA for an end to end tea value chain intervention including capacity building in crop husbandry to ensure a better quality tea is produced upstream to capacity building to encourage SME’s develop necessary skills for developing new market opportunities.
Accompanying Ms Greening was the Principal Secretary for International Trade Dr. Chris Kiptoo and CEO of Shippers Council of East Africa Mr. Gilbert Langat. The Association was represented by Mr. Meshack Kipturgo of Siginon Group. Other organisations represented were KATO, KAM, Chamber of Commerce and Mombasa County Government.
East Africa Tea Trade Association once again invites you to the most iconic tea event held in Africa . The 3rd Africa Tea Convention and Exhibition.
An excellent panel of speakers will be on hand to ensure the convention will be one of the most important events you attend in 2016.
3rd African Tea Convention - Leaning Forward Through Innovation
26th - 28th October 2016
Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort
Diani, Kenya
1.0. MEETING BETWEEN Kenya Revenue Authority and EATTA
In the last update from the secretariat we informed you that we had written to KRA seeking an appointment to raise concerns on various issues of concern to the tea industry. We obtained an appointment for 20th March 2013 and together with a few members of the trade, we went and met with the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Southern Region as well the Line Managers responsible for issues of concern to the tea industry.
The issues discussed in the meeting were;
- Delay in cancellation of VAT bonds
- Delay in reactivating archived T 810 forms
- Lack of staff to release customs holds of containers
The outcome of our discussion was as follows:
Delay in cancellation of VAT bonds
Some of our members have been following up with KRA for cancellation of bonds going back 7 years. KRA informed the people in the meeting that part of the problem maybe exporters who fill the certificates of exports documents manually instead of the required online process. The Deputy Commissioner in charge of port operations committed to look into the matter and in a further follow up meeting held on Thursday 4th April 2013 a way was found to sort out the outstanding bond cancellation for one of our members.
1.0. Meeting Between Kenya Revenue Authority and EATTA
In the last update from the secretariat we informed you that we had written to KRA seeking an appointment to raise concerns on various issues of concern to the tea industry. We obtained an appointment for 20th March 2013 and together with a few members of the trade, we went and met with the Senior Deputy Commissioner for Southern Region as well the Line Managers responsible for issues of concern to the tea industry.
The issues discussed in the meeting were;
- Delay in cancellation of VAT bonds
- Delay in reactivating archived T 810 forms
- Lack of staff to release customs holds of containers
The outcome of our discussion was as follows:
a). Delay in cancellation of VAT bonds
Some of our members have been following up with KRA for cancellation of bonds going back 7 years. KRA informed the people in the meeting that part of the problem maybe exporters who fill the certificates of exports documents manually instead of the required online process. The Deputy Commissioner in charge of port operations committed to look into the matter and in a further follow up meeting held on Thursday 4th April 2013 a way was found to sort out the outstanding bond cancellation for one of our members.
Membership & Affiliation
