Uganda opens door for more goods from Kenya

By LUKE ANAMI

Kenya: Kenyan manufacturers will now be able to export most of their commodities to Uganda following  a decision by Kampala to reduce the list of goods that should not be exported to the country.

In a budget statement delivered to the Budget and Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Henry Rotich said Uganda agreed to reduce the “Uganda List” from 139 to 49 in line with Common External Tariff.

Under a sensitive list, countries protect their own industries by either prohibiting import of certain commodities such as sugar, milk, or rice among others while allowing importation of only a few through impositions of tax and duty.

“During the last consultative meeting of the Finance Ministers from EAC, Uganda agreed to reduce the so-called Uganda List from 138 to 49. I am sure our manufacturers have a reason to smile. They can now compete much favourably in the region unlike before,” Rotich announced.

Rotich also promised to remove complicated custom procedures, review rules of origin and reduce non-tariff barriers in Kenya in line with the EAC Customs Union and the common market protocols.

He also promised to review the EAC’s Common External Tariff which calls for three band tariff whereby goods are assigned rates of import duties based on whether they are primary raw materials, industrial inputs, capital goods or finished goods.