Nairobi, Jan. 17 -- The Ministry of Agriculture says it will table to the Cabinet a request by tea traders to have the 16 percent value-added tax on packaging material and 35 percent duty on imported papers to be scrapped to allow them to sell the beverage to new markets other than the traditional ones currently facing economic woes.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi says he will highlight the opportunities that the country is missing out on for not adding value to the tea that is produced locally.

Most of the Kenyan tea is exported in bulk with traders shying away from adding value because of the expensive nature of the exercise that makes the commodity uncompetitive in the world market.

For instance, the government charge...