Support regional trade
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. The MPs have paved the way for him to serve a sixth term in office. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Those bureaucrats unnecessarily hindering free movement of goods and services need proper guidance.
- Since the launch of the East African Common Market in 2010, the member states opened their doors to allow free movement of goods and services.
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has added to the voices critical of Kenya’s handling of regional trade.
At the heart of the matter is the concern by Ugandan traders that Kenya’s authorities are blocking their goods from accessing local markets, contrary to regional trade pacts.
Since the launch of the East African Common Market in 2010, the member states opened their doors to allow free movement of goods and services.
Given its strong economy, Kenya has been the main beneficiary of enhanced regional trade agreements.
Indeed, this is the reason why some countries such as Tanzania have misgivings about completely opening their doors, fearing domination by the region’s giant.
The concerns about Kenya’s authorities blocking goods from Uganda do not augur well for continued regional cooperation.
In fact, such a move is likely to backfire on Kenya. Worse, it is coming just a few days ahead of the EAC Heads of State meeting in Nairobi.
Kenya’s Ministry of East Africa Cooperation needs to deal with the concerns expressed by Uganda and any other member state.
Those bureaucrats unnecessarily hindering free movement of goods and services need proper guidance.
