Trade Facilitation Priorities for

East Africa

WTO-AFDB Trade Facilitation Symposium

November 2012

(Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011

About TMEA

Vision: ‘’a united East Africa with flourishing trade, strong investment, and less poverty’’

Mission: ‘’promote rapid advances in East Africa’s integration, trade and global competitiveness for all East Africans”

WHO WE ARE

Trade and Markets East Africa (TradeMark)

Offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan

Multi-donor funded: Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and UK

Budget - $500m 2010-2016

Trade Facilitation Rationale

(Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES

Improvements in trade Infrastructure at Ports and Border Posts.

ICT for Trade through ASSET, SWIFT, Transport Observatories and support to Revenue Authorities.

Reduction of Non Tariff Barriers.

Support to the East African Clearing and Forwarding Curriculum.

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Infrastructure challenges

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Infrastructure

East African Ports: Handle more than ¾ of East Africa’s transit traffic.

TMEA supports KPA and TPA to improve port efficiency and cargo handling to reduce delays and improve business performance.

Port of Mombasa Port of Dar es Salaam

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TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Infrastructure

Border Posts: A major link in transit trade.

TMEA works with EAC Partner States to establish One Stop Border Posts to reduce transit costs.

Tanzania: Holili, Mutukula, Kabanga and Tunduma Uganda: Mutukula, Mirama Hills, Busia and Elegu Kenya: Busia and Taveta Rwanda: Kagitumba Burundi: Kobero South Sudan: Nimule

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TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES ICT for Trade

Alternative System for Secure Transit (ASSET): Alternative to national and regional bond schemes.

Single Window Information for Trade (SWIFT): Online access to trade requirements for import/export trade.

Transport Observatory: Data collection, analysis and dissemination to track EAC corridor performance.

Technical Assistance to Revenue Authorities: New customs management systems and national electronic single windows.

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TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Business Environment Improvement

Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers: To reduce and eliminate obstacles to regional and international trade within the EAC. Harmonisation of Standards: To promote a regional approach to regional trade as it applies to standards.

Rules of Origin: To strengthen EAC technical capacity to negotiate and apply RoO vis-a-vis the Tripartite FTA.

Regional Freight Forwarders Training: Support training to enhance clearing and forwarding sector.

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Conclusion

Partnerships with the EAC

Collaboration with East African Governments

Support to private sector and civil society

Close coordination with donor organisations

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(Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011

Thank you