By Dorothy Musyoka
Ministers in charge of East Africa Community (EAC) affairs from the eight partner states gathered today in Arusha, Tanzania, for the 46th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers. Kenya’s delegation, led by Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul and Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat, is part of deliberations aimed at strengthening regional integration.
According to the, Ministry of East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Land (EAC, ASALS), and Regional Development the meeting preceding the 24th Ordinary Heads of State Summit on November 30, 2024, will focus on advancing the Single Customs Territory, addressing tariff structures, resolving Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), and enhancing private sector participation to reduce trade turnaround time from 21 days to 4 days.
Key issues in the agenda include implementation of the Single Customs Territory, tariff structures, enhancing trade policies and private sector engagement in a bid to enhance trade, revenue collection, reduce turnaround time from 21 days to 4 days along the EAC corridors, and greater private sector participation in regional trade.
“The Council will also discuss the tracking of reforms in the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol which entail monitoring partner states’ progress in aligning national laws with the freedoms and rights under the Common Market Protocol,” stated the Ministry.
The council is expected to discuss the promotion of EAC Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), harmonization of regional quality standards for goods and the harmonization of laws, protection of migrant workers’ rights, and enhancement of the benefits of organized labor migration in the community.