By Zephania Ubwani,The Citizen Reporter
Arusha. Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) -- which continue to hamper intra-regional trade and flow in East Africa -- may soon become history if political pronouncements are anything to go by.
President Jakaya Kikwete says as chairman of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit, he would ensure “the removal of all barriers to trade” in the region. He reaffirmed this in his address to the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) currently holding a session in Bujumbura, Burundi, on Thursday that Tanzania would spearhead implementation of the exercise.
Significant progress has been made to reduce road blocs on the Tanzanian side along the central corridor. Police checks have been reduced to six from 15, he said.
“Our aim is to reduce them to zero except when need arises,” he said.
He told the regional Parliament that the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) had also reduced the checks from three to zero along the central corridor.
He pleaded with Eala to join in the partnership to ensure the removal of all trade barriers “to make EAC the best region to do business.” Until very recently, Tanzania has been blamed for having more NTBs in the region.
The President noted that improved infrastructure would bring down the costs of doing business.
He said poor infrastructure had resulted in the upward and spiral effect of transportation costs resulting in skyrocketing of between 30-40 per cent of the price of goods especially in the landlocked countries.
He thus urged the region to invest better in efficient ports, railways, roads, aviation services, energy and telecommunications.
Eala Speaker Daniel Kidega argued for credible, free and fair elections in Burundi and Tanzania.
On Tuesday, in his address to Eala, President Pierre Nkurunziza said that the country would hold peaceful, free and fair elections.
“I wish to commend the joint initiative of the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) aimed at supporting the consolidation of democracy, reconciliation and tolerance among Burundians and political actors, with a view to achieving transparent and credible 2015 elections,” he said.
President Nkurunziza termed the launch of the Round Tables Programme on elections in Burundi on January 15, 2015 as fundamental.
He said the occasion presented Burundians and eminent persons of the region with an opportunity to tackle issues related to elections and electoral processes aimed to consolidate regional stability through peaceful elections in Burundi.
The President announced that parliamentary elections would be held on May 26, 2015, and Presidential elections exactly a month later.
He added: “I have also been informed of the progress made in the area of co-operation between the East African Legislative Assembly and national parliaments of EAC partner states.“I’m of the view that such co-operation will continue to make it easy for the East African Community to work together and in doing so, be able to achieve integrated and harmonious development.”
CREDIT: THE CITIZEN
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