EABC
and Trade Facilitation Agencies to Galvanize Intra- EAC Trade
- Technical
Meeting of Private Sector and Trade Facilitation Agencies in Kenya to sit quarterly
to boost intra-regional trade.
- Regional
Electronic Cargo Tracking System has reduced Transit Time, says Kenya
Revenue Authority
Arusha, Tanzania: 3rd May, 2017, There
are a lot of initiatives to improve the business environment in regard to cross
border trade which the private sector is needs to be kept abreast, this was
noted during EABC Regional
Dialogue with senior government
officials and trade facilitation agencies held on Friday, 28th
April, 2017 at Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
EABC Regional
Dialogue attracted over 85 business leaders from the region who
urged for a Technical Meeting
between Private Sector and Trade Facilitation Agencies in Kenya to be held
quarter and cumulate into an Annual regional forum that reviews the progress
made in facilitating intra-regional trade.
“It is of uttermost importance to measure the
extent to which the EAC Partner States are translating the EAC Common Market
and Customs Union Protocols into policies that support the actualization of the
free movement of people and workers, goods, services, capital and the rights of
establishment and residence within the EAC Partner States.” stated Ms. Lilian
Awinja EABC CEO.
According to Kenya Revenue Authority
(KRA), Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System has reduced Transit time:
Mombasa to Kampala from 6 days to 4.7 days while Mombasa to Kigali from 11 days
to 5.2days. “Private sector should embrace regulations to control flow of
illicit Products “said Mr. Benson Korongo, Commissioner Domestic Revenue KRA.
“There
is progress in facilitating intra- regional trade however more needs to be
done” said Amb. Dennis Awori, former EABC Vice Chair
Kenya.
EABC Regional
Dialogue
enabled the business community to present key challenges they face to fully
seize opportunities of the regional market. Furthermore businesses were informed
on various technical regulations and requirements regarding standards & tax
requirements and compliance in the Republic of Kenya particularly those that
are applied to goods from the EAC region.
“Disconnection between valuation for transfer
pricing and customs valuation in KRA needs to be addressed” said Kassim Omar, EABC Vice Chair Uganda citing one the challenges
business community face.
“EABC
was started to galvanize East Africa Trade” noted Dr. Manu Chandaria, Chairman
Comcraft Group.
“The quarterly technical meeting with trade facilitation
agencies will enable businesses to cross check the level of implementation different policies
in bid to make doing business in EAC much easier” said Ms Lilian Awinja EABC
CEO.
-
End -
Notes
to Editors
·
The
public-private dialogue forum with trade facilitation agencies is organized by
EABC, with support from TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and close collaboration
with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). Key
officials from Kenya Bureau of
Standards (KEBS), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA),
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) Kenya Trade Network Agency (KENTRADE) attended the dialogue forum.
·
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the apex body of
business associations of the Private Sector and Corporates from the 5 East
African Countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the
Private Sector in the integration process of the East African Community. For more information about EABC, visit
its website at worww.eabc.info.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Lilian Awinja –
Executive Director
The
East African Business Council (EABC) - The
Voice of Private Sector in East Africa
P. O. Box 2617 | Plot No. 01 | Olorien
House | Perfect Printers Street | Arusha | Tanzania
Tel: +255 (27) 2543047
Fax: +255 272543047 Cell +255 758 124 318
Email:
info@eabc-online.com
Website: www.eabc.info
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