EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS
COUNCIL
STATEMENT ON RIGHTS OF
TRADERS IN THE EAST AFRICAN PARTNER STATES
28TH JUNE 2019, ARUSHA, TANZANIA
The East African Business Council
(EABC) is appalled and condemns the reckless and xenophobic comments made by some
Members
of Parliament from the Republic of Kenya on East African traders in Kenya.
The statements are unfortunate
and unwarranted as they negate the spirit and gains of the EAC regional
integration.
The statements are not in
line with the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and
the EAC Common Market Protocol ratified by the Republic of Kenya.
To accelerate economic growth and development
in the region, the EABC urges all the EAC
Partner States, institutions and organs to continue maintaining a
liberal stance towards the Freedoms and Rights as enshrined in the Common
Market Protocol namely, Free Movement of Goods, Free Movement of Persons, Free Movement
of Labour / Workers, Right of Establishment, Right of Residence, Free Movement
of Services and Free Movement of Capital.
In 2017, Kenya’s exports to the EAC Partner States amounted to approximately
USD 1.1 billion. Kenya’s exports to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi
respectively accounted for 54.5%, 24.8%, 15.5% and 5.3 %. The total value of
intra-EAC investments into Kenya amounted to USD25.2 million (EAC Trade and
Investment Report, 2017). Total FDI inflows into Kenya amounted to US$ 717
million 2017 as per investments registered by Kenya Investment Authority
(KenInvest).
The EAC citizens have the right to establish their business in
any Partner State and pursue economic activities in accordance with the
national laws of the Partner State, EAC Treaty, Protocols and remarks by the
President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Uhuru Kenyatta in his various addresses
to the nation and the region.
The EABC commends the
Republic of Kenya for reiterating their commitment to the EAC integration
through the statement issued by the Ministry of EAC and Regional Development
and further urges all Partner States to continue adhering to operational
principles of the Community, namely:
- Non-discrimination of nationals
of other Partner States on grounds of nationality;
- Equal treatment to nationals of
other Partner States;
- Ensure transparency in matters
concerning the other Partner States; and
- Share information for the
smooth implementation of the EAC Protocols.
Hon.Peter
Mathuki, Chief Executive
Officer
East African Business Council (EABC)
About EABC
The
East African Business Council (EABC) is
the regional apex body of Private Sector associations and Corporates from the 6
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. Vision: Borderless East Africa
for business and investment. Mission: To promote sustainable Private
Sector-driven growth. For more information about EABC, visit www.eabc.info.
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