- The EAC’s eight partner states; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have an integrated market of 300 million people.
- The intra-EAC trade is now worth USD10 billion and the trend is exceedingly promising.
The National government is formulating policies geared toward facilitating access of Kenya’s goods to the East African Community (EAC) market.
EAC and Regional Development CS Peninah Malonza said the intra-EAC trade is now worth US$10 billion and the trend is exceedingly promising.
The EAC’s eight partner states; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have an integrated market of 300 million people.
“This market provides Kenya’s medium and small micro-enterprises (MSMEs) with space to trade and grow their footprints in the region,” Malonza said.
In a statement to celebrate EAC’s 24 years, Malonza said her ministry will continue to promote conversations among Kenyans on the substance and benefits of the EAC integration.
The treaty establishing the community was signed by the heads of state on November 30, 1999, ushering in a new and reinvigorated community that is people-centred and market-driven.
Kenya will mark the EAC week in Nairobi’s Cooperative Building.
“Together we are strong as a region, and indeed, we are determined to continue fighting for our space in international politics. The community is a trailblazer, highly integrated, guided by shared values and common heritage,” the CS said.
She said in the space of 24 years and through the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation Pillars, the EAC has come of age.
The establishment of the EAC common market guarantees free movement of labour, persons, capital, goods and services, and right of residence and right of establishment, she said.
“This has deepened intra-EAC trade, opened up borders leading to mobility of labour, and cooperation in social and economic sectors,” she said.
The EAC has achieved a lot in regard to joint infrastructure development projects including major roads such as the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road, and Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi road.
The establishment of the East African Community Customs Union led to an increase in intra-regional trade through the establishment of the Single Customs Territory and One-Stop Border Posts.
“The one-stop border post is an integrated land border management system where customs and other government agencies of the adjoining partner states work in the same office and clearance procedures are done once at the country of immediate entry,” she said.
EAC Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat said the EAC customs union, which became operational on January 1, 2005, was a gamechanger in the trade dynamics of the region.
“It opened up borders, sought to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers, and established the much-vaunted Common External Tariff with third parties,” Dubat said.
He said since its inauguration, the customs union has unified intra-EAC trade while putting measures in place to ensure there is fair competition while securing the region against dumping, manipulation and coercion.
“The EAC customs union is the enabler of the agricultural revolution of our country by providing a market space of 300 million people,” Dubat said.
He said the customs union together with the common market are foundational pillars of the EAC, and they are essential in growing the MSMEs to access the regional market.
“The MSMEs including those domiciled around the points of entry and exit, enjoy market access like none other and their propensity in accessing the regional market is seamless and satisfying.”
Dubat said the State Department for EAC Affairs will continue to cultivate a facilitative environment aimed at expanding market access for Kenyan MSMEs.