East Africa moves closer to eliminating non-tariff barriers

East African businesses can now breath a sigh of relief after a key bill on eliminating regional non-tariff barriers sailed through its third reading Tuesday pending assent by heads of government of the partner states.

The Bill seeks to provide a legal mechanism for eliminating identified non-tariff barriers in partner states.

The East African Legislative Assembly passed Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Bill 2015 after intense debate in Arusha, Tanzania, the seat of the East African Community (EAC).

Discussions on the proposed law began on Monday but was later adjourned following a motion introduced by the chairman of the Council of Ministers, Abdullah Saadalla Abdullah, to allow for further consultations.

The debate was preceded by the adoption of the report of the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, which considered the Bill last week.

The team, led by East African Legislative Assembly member Mukasa Mbidde, met with the Council of Ministers and experts from the customs and trade directorate and proposed amendments to the effect that respective ministries of the regional body in each partner state be mandated to be national focal points for matters related to non-tariff barriers.

The committee further proposed an amendment to clause 12 (on failures of the removal of non-tariff barriers) to provide for reference at the East African Court of Justice by any person aggrieved by a directive, decision or recommendation of the EAC Council of Ministers or the EAC committee on trade remedies.

The EAC Secretariat prepares a quarterly report on the status of eliminating non-tariff barriers that boosts ongoing efforts by the national monitoring committees and the EAC regional forum on non-tariff barriers to redress barriers affecting intra-east African trade.

Member states of the East African Community include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania

Source: East African Secretariat