KEPSA participated in the East Africa Community (EAC) - East Africa Business Council (EABC) Technical Working Group (TWG) held on 11^th – 12^th March 2024 in Nairobi Kenya. The main objective of the meeting was to enhance the impetus of the relaunched TWG in mainstreaming private sector policy priorities in the EAC integration for the period of 2024.

In his remarks, Mr. John Kalisa, EABC CEO noted that despite the progress made in the integration process, the share of intra-EAC trade to total trade is still stagnant at 15% due to several reasons that include NTBs; and restrictions on trade in services among others. He further highlighted challenges in the utilization of the mechanism for reporting and resolution of NTBs; use and application of harmonised EAC Standards; un-uniformly application of the revised EAC Common External Tariff of 2022 version; cross-border trade facilitation as some of the challenges faced by the private sector that hinder regional economic growth.

Further, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, EAC Deputy Secretary General (Customs, Trade & Monetary Affairs) & TWG Co-Chair emphasised the need to focus on border agency collaborations; fast-track resolution of reported NTBs, a sectoral approach in addressing intra-regional trade; facilitating access to information on trade in services through research and disaggregated data; and providing evidence-based advocacy to inform the engagements on Stays of Application and harmonisation of Domestic taxes. 

The following were the resolutions of the meeting;

• To develop innovative mechanisms to address persistent and recurring NTBs that continue to impede intra-regional trade.
• To Harmonization of standards and SPS measures.
• To review the northern and central corridor performance including Ports, connectivity that include Infrastructure development.  To remedy the high costs per kilometre compared to global best practice.
• To promote regional value chains through fast-tracking development of the regional Local Content Policy.
• To fast-track harmonization of domestic taxes to address investment constraints, double taxation, and Duty Remission Scheme.
• To facilitate trade across border posts by providing dedicated green lanes for goods produced in the EAC.
• To evaluate and review relevant regional integration initiatives based on current situation.

The full report of the meeting can be accessed here: https://shorturl.at/csx56