ISDS Case Map
EAC
Lack of public information on the operations of the East Africa Community has been blamed for the slow integration among member states.
When the treaty establishing the East African Community (EAC) came into force on July 7, 2000, the main goal was to widen and deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit in economic, political, social and cultural affairs.
East Africa Community says any agreement reached should not upset the common market protocol and customs union in the region.
Economic experts have supported the recent decision taken by the government of Uganda to join the COMESA FTA, saying it would increase the volume of Ugandan exports to the COMESA FTA and promote the country’s economic growth.
“Right now, Ugandan traders are fighting with Kenya over the issue of cash bonds, Tanzania is lagging behind the integration process because it says it will not allow their land to go, and Zanzibar says it wants to go independent of Tanzania…. so where are the consensus values?”
Three regional economic communities (Recs) have taken the lead as Africa seeks to remove trade barriers by 2017.
In his keynote address on the role of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in fostering trade and development in Africa early this year, former Tanzanian president, Benjamin William Mkapa, raised critical questions and warned East African Community (EAC) countries that signing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) would deny the region chances to develop into industrialized nations.
East Africa Community (EAC) General Secretary, Dr Richard Sezibera said despite progress made in the ongoing negotiations in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, there were still contentious issues to be addressed.
The United States and East African community have agreed on a new partnership could serve as a building block towards a more comprehensive trade agreement over the long term.
A new Trade and Investment partnership has been forged between the Arusha-based East African Community (EAC) and the United States of America, the 'Sunday News' has learnt.
