By Zephania Ubwani
Nairobi — Lack of information to traders is a major hindrance to cross border trade in East Africa.
The anomaly has
also left big loopholes for corruption to the detriment of business as
they endeavor to move their goods from one state to another.
"Traders always
struggle to find information regarding the goods and services allowed
for cross border transactions but without much success", said, Mr David
Kipkemei, the commissioner for Kajiado County bordering Tanzania.
He challenged the
leaders of the East African Community (EAC) partner states to urgently
address barriers hampering cross border trade in the region.
"One of the major
non-tariff barriers (NTBs) impeding trade across East Africa is lack of
information", he said during a sensitization meeting on One Stop Border
Post (OSBP) between officials of the two countries over the weekend.
The Arusha regional
commissioner, Mr Mrisho Gambo echoed this, saying establishment of the
jointly operated OSBPs could be a solution to the problem.
"OSBP has made a
big difference for citizens crossing national borders within the EAC by
simplifying customs and Immigration processes," he said.
Namanga, a busy
border town between Tanzania and Kenya, is one of the dozen-plus
designated border posts established to accelerate cross border movement
of human traffic as well as goods and services.
Mr Gambo and his
Kajiado counterpart were in the border town as well as Longido and
Kajiado (Kenya) to sensitize the business community as well as the
general public on the cross border procedures under the new facility.
Although the
facility has been operational since last year, its official opening is
slated for April 20th, this year according to sources close to the EAC
secretariat.
Nevertheless, Mr.
Gambo said its operationalization has tremendously spurred
intra-regional trade through increased movement of goods and services
across the borders.
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