Define EAC Protocol to maximise benefits

The launch of the East African Community Common Market Protocol is a significant step towards the integration of Africa.

Partner states will now have free movement of goods, persons and labour, right of establishment and residence and the free movement of service and capital.

Besides economic growth and strengthening of diplomatic relations, competition will be upped, leading to quality, affordable goods. Employment and poverty will reduce.

However, the Protocol needs to be clearly defined and information shared between partner states lest it becomes a barrier to trade. At the border points, harmonisation of rules and regulations by Custom officials need to be addressed to avoid rent-seeking.

Burundi and Rwanda are French-speaking nations, but there is no French version of the Protocol on the EAC website. How does the EAC secretariat expect the two countries to be incorporated if their citizens are not acquainted with the rules and regulations?

East Africa’s borders teem with small traders whose effort is not recognised yet many unaccounted for goods pass through their hands. This huge data on trade statistics is not captured, and it distorts trade policy formulation by the governments. Additionally, the EAC needs to post research documents and articles on their website for those interested in the development of trade.

It could issue a "call for papers" from the public to boost research and development among partner states.

Specialisation

To expand markets and reach other regional blocs, the EAC can encourage specialisation among partner states. It must also support capacity building and training of resource persons for proper trade across borders.

It would also be in the best interest of the EAC to work closely with donors for proper allocation, monitoring and evaluation of donor money.

EAC must raise funds independently to implement programmes and support member states in their endeavours to facilitate trade development. Private sector involvement in trade related matters must also be fostered.

Most countries lack the will and power to implement these reforms and it is up to the EAC to work closely in collaboration with the trade ministries in the five member states to ensure the trade reforms are implemented.

{Eugene Jernigan, Nairobi}

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