Understanding non-tariff barriers in the East African Community Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) play a significant role in increasing the cost and time of trade or doing business or simply impede trade between or amongst partner states. The East African Community (EAC) Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Act 2017 refers to NTBs as laws, regulations, administrative and technical requirements other than tariffs imposed by a Partner State, whose effect is to impede trade. Many of the regulations and technical requirements that affect trade – rising from Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) – serve legitimate policy objectives to safeguard public health or the environment.  The EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Regulations, 2017 highlights that one aspect of what makes an NTM an NTB is whether a “measure is discriminatory and restricts trade directly or indirectly. This factbook and toolkit provides an overview of the various categories of NTBs, why NTBs are harmful and how to identify, report and monitoring the resolution of NTBs in EAC context.

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="RBS institutional capacity strengthened" implementor="Rwanda Bureau of Standards" target_group="Importers and exporters, Manufacturers, Rwanda Bureau of Standards." project_value="US$ 4,963,229.71" implementation_period="2012 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) has the responsibility to coordinate development and implementation of policies in line with Rwanda National Policy 2010 and the EAC SQMT Act 2006. The bureau is also charged with the responsibility to build capacity in testing laboratories to support industries and ensure Rwanda goods comply with national and regional standards. TMA will provide support to RBS in order to carry out this mandate. What: TMA’s assistance on standards compliance specifically addresses the wider elements of a national quality Infrastructure which includes conformity assessment through testing and accreditation. How: TMA will provide technical assistance to RBS to support development of legal and regulatory framework and training RBS and non RBS quality officials. RBS will on a day to day basis manage consultants. Procurements and contracting will be done by TMA. Contact: Anataria Karimba, Email: [email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42638" image_2="42538"]Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) simplify and increase the transparency of import/ export procedures; producers improve the quality of products produced; bureau of standards staff and producers improve their understanding of standards and requirements. Together, the results lead to national bureau of standards, improves efficiency and effectiveness of testing.[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="project-insight"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock"...

[vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW)"]The Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW), which was effectively launched in 2012, represents a major initiative to facilitate trade, enhance international competitiveness, and promote development and regional integration, with the ultimate aim of reducing poverty. TMA provided $3.3 million for the first phase of this project from 2012 to 2014. This Evaluation traces its performance according to the OECD-DAC standard evaluation criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability and coherence.[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="fixGreySection"][vc_column][blank_color_section][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Rwanda ESW and upgrade of CMS" implementor="Rwanda Revenue Authority" target_group="EAC region importers and exporters" project_value="US$ 3,300,000" implementation_period="2011 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Traders in the East African Community (EAC) currently spend numerous days visiting multiple government agencies in various locations to obtain regulatory information permits, trade licenses and clearance certificates to complete import and export processes. This results in huge costs and time loss for the traders. To counter these inefficiencies in trade facilitation, governments in the EAC have set up national Electronic Single Windows with revenue and port authorities, cross-border trade certification agencies and the private sector. What: The Single Window Information for Trade is a trade facilitation concept which allows cross-border traders to access apply for and submit regulatory documents at a single location. How: TMA is providing financial support to RRA and other government agencies to implement the Rwanda Electronic Single Window Contact: Jackie Zizane, [email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42769" image_2="42771"]Greater efficiency, transparency and accountability into the goods clearance processes which will contribute to a reduction in transport costs and time in East Africa[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="project-insight"][vc_column][project_single_ele_3_container heading="More Project Insights." sub_heading="Projects Highlights From A Glance" slide_1="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_2="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock" slide_3="info access for 20 crops & over five breeds of livestock"][single_project_content]Key outputs include: Single Window portal and customs management system implemented Cater for other related costs to the implementation...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Kagitumba OSBP IBM" implementor="Rwanda Revenue Authority and Uganda Revenue Authority are the lead implementing agencies for this project, jointly with the Rwanda and Uganda bilateral National OSBPs Steering Committees (NOSCs)." target_group="The border agencies and all border posts users, especially importers and exporters and informal traders." project_value="US$ 600,000" implementation_period="2011 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Mirama Hills road route offers a shorter and less difficult route to Rwanda than passing through the Katuna/Gatuna border post. Prolonged waiting times at the Kagitumba/Mirama Hills border posts which is a major contributor to high transport costs can be attributed to insufficient quality and quantity of technical equipment and complicated procedures focused on centralized control, and multiple border organizations working in isolation. This leads to inconsistencies in the way goods are handled on a day-to-day basis, resulting in poor revenue collection, and poor phyto-sanitary and standards management. What: The project focuses on setting up the institutional and legal framework necessary for increasing collaboration in border management at inter-agency and bilateral levels, reviewing and implementing one stop border post procedures, training border agency officials, and installing ICT networks, hardware, furniture and equipment. How: TMA is providing funding and technical support to facilitate implementation of integrated border management systems at Taveta border post jointly with the border agencies. Contact: Jackie Zizane, Email:[email protected] Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="42419" image_2="42632"]A reduction in the total average time it takes to clear cargo at the Kagitumba / Mira Hills...