The Kenyan government has released 1,300 containers of Pakistani rice that were stuck at the Mombasa port at zero-tariff rates, the commerce ministry said.

In a letter to the Kenyan trade ministry, Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan raised the issue with the African country and called for timely handling of the rice shipment.

The commerce ministry added that the delay was caused by the Red Sea situation. Yemen’s said they had launched attacks on three ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea – though shipping giant Maersk dismissed the report that the targets included one of its vessels, Reuters reported on Thursday.

The objective was to “save Pakistani exporters from significant losses” due to the delay.

The Kenyan government issued a special gazette notice on May 31, 2024, regarding the issue.

Kenya has also allowed duty-free access for 34,414.5 metric tons of Grade 1 white-milled rice from Pakistan until November 30, 2024.

According to the ministry, the move would have a “positive impact” on bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kenya.