Talks to remove Barriers of Trade for EAC
East African Community partner States are conducting discussions aimed at reducing roadblocks and cumbersome custom procedures. The talks were initiated following the absence of credible mechanism to help remove non-tariff barriers (NTBs) – the restrictions that result from prohibitions, conditions, or specific market requirements that make importation or exportation of products difficult and/or costly. Speaking during a workshop organised by Trade Mark East Africa to eliminate NTBs, the EAC Secretary General, Richard Sezibera, said the publishing of a monthly booklet updates on existing NTBs in each partner State would help supplement the machineries available. “East Africa must industrialize or be left at the margins of the global economy. We have the choice but to invest in processes. Eliminating NTBs is part of the moves,” he said, adding: “We need to continue to seriously focus on the removal of barriers to trade.” The five-member bloc boss said discussions were going on within individual partner States to eliminate hindrances to trade. “Rwanda and Uganda are discussing how to eliminate NTBs. Other member countries are also planning to do so.” EAC has no enforcement mechanism to help remove non-tariff barriers. In the absence of a credible mechanism to eliminate them, partner States, particularly those that are landlocked have begun bilateral discussions to remove them.
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