A one-stop border post at Kenya-Tanzania border in Lunga Lunga. The
facility is expected to fast-track cross-border movements of goods and
people. PHOTO | NMG
The private sector has been blamed for creating non-tariff
barriers, a major hindrance to free trade in the East African Community.
Trade
experts and government officials who attended the East African Business
Council’s meeting in Nairobi to mark 20th anniversary said businesses
have prioritised their personal interests to protect their enterprises,
which has slowed down regional integration and free trade.
Kenya’s
Industry, Trade and Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed said
that although there is progress in elimination of NTBs and promotion of
free movement of goods in the region, the snail’s pace of implementing
decisions made on elimination of trade barriers is because majority of
private sector players are looking at how best the process benefits
them.
“There are many trade opportunities opening up on
the continent and globally, but to enjoy these opportunities, EAC
should remain united and face the competition as a bloc in order to face
the bigger market,” he said.
Uganda’s Prime Minister,
Ruhakana Rugunda said for EAC partner states to trade freely and
competitively with each other, there is a need to address concerns
openly and transparently.
“This way implementation will
be more achievable. There should be a political will and transparent
participation by both parties from the government and the private
sector,” said Dr Rugunda.
Peter Munya, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, East African Community
and Northern Corridor noted the need for proper follow up and
representation by both stakeholders in key decision-making at the
regional level in order to implement the decisions made without dispute.
“In
order to see smooth flow of business in the region, the key agenda for
the integration should be the harmonisation of laws. Like in the other
regional communities, EAC should come up with overriding laws on
decision made that will automatically make the national laws redundant.
This way, implementation will be faster,” said Mr Munya.
“Also
the region need to come up with one institution that is responsible for
clearance of goods at the border points to avoid the national interests
that are experienced when it is done by each country’s institution,” he
added.
Role of ministers
These, he said, are the matters the Council of Ministers will deliberate on and come up with a decision in the near future.
The
EABC is marking 20 years of representing private sector interests in
the EAC integration under the theme, “Beyond East Africa, Moving from
Aspiration to Action.”
Lilian Awinja, EABC chief
executive officer, said moving forward, the EAC will move to the next
level but there is need for the integration process to move faster so
that partner states can realise the opportunities under the Common
Market Protocol.
She noted that for the past 20 years,
the EABC has been actively working with the business partners, EAC
governments and the EAC secretariat in decision-making on matters
touching on free trade in the region.
No comments :
Post a Comment