The Kenyan High Commission (ambassador) to Islamabad has informed the Government of Pakistan that his government has waived off Common External Tariff (CET) on Pakistani rice, which had stockpiled at the port of Mombasa in Kenya, an official statement said. Due to imposition of CET at the rate of 75 per cent with effective from January 1 2005, as many as 350 containers with consignments of Pakistani rice were held up in Kenyan ports. Due to efforts of Pakistans Ministry of Commerce with the Government of Kenya, Pakistani rice arriving or held at the Mombasa port will be cleared at the Pre-CET rate of 35 % between now and 15th March 2005, the statement said. The Kenyan Government has also waived off the customs warehouse rent for the rice and other goods, which were held at the port awaiting clearance. The Kenyan Government is additionally continuing its dialogue with the Government of Pakistan for a long-term solution on the CET on rice and other products. Pakistan and Kenya wish to maintain and deepen the current trade relations between the two countries, the statement said.
