[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Rwanda NTB National Monitoring Committee established" implementor="Rwanda National Monitoring Committee" target_group="Importers and exporters in East Africa" project_value="US$ 1,869,449.95" implementation_period="2011 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]NTBs account for a significant proportion of the high transportation costs in the EAC. These unwelcome barriers drive up business costs of importing and exporting goods, make business globally uncompetitive, and increase prices to consumers across the entire region. What: The NMC work plan is built around three strategic outcomes, each contributing to an important capacity issues and processes in the monitoring and elimination of NTBs. How: TMA is providing funding for the Rwanda NMC to strengthen its management and organization and develop new processes for NTBs monitoring and elimination. Contact: Eve Gossiaux, Email: eve.gossiaux@trademarkea.com 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="42808" image_2="42806"]Enhance the capacity of the National Monitoring Committee and other institutions involved in the elimination of NTB’s that affect imports into and exports out of Rwanda in the context of the EAC Time-Bound Program for Elimination of NTB’s[/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]The key outputs include: Strategic plan for NTB elimination developed Research papers on priority NTBs produced Bilateral dispute resolution mechanism established [/single_project_content][single_project_content]M&E system for NTB elimination developed NMC legal framework developed National and regional NTB...

[vc_row][vc_column][rev_slider slidertitle="Support to Kenya Revenue Authority (iCMS)" alias="support-to-kenya-revenue-authority-icms"][/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="Kenya Revenue Authority Customs Management System" implementor="Kenya Revenue Authority" target_group="Customs Officials, Clearing Agents, Private Sector" project_value="US$ 23.5 Million" implementation_period="2017 – 2023" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) was designed and developed to address the limitations and system downtimes that were characteristic of the previous SIMBA 2005 system. Some of the challenges of the SIMBA 2005 system were: Operational inefficiencies visible in the longer clearance times for goods; Subjectivity in the administration and management of applications by traders, often leading to delayed clearance and lost business opportunities to traders; Revenue leakages resulting from misdeclaration and cargo diversion; Low implementation of preclearance processes – further increasing clearance time. As a main artery in facilitating clearance of import and export of goods into and outside Kenya, digitisation of all KRA’s customs processes creates a conducive environment for importers and exporters both domestic and foreign to trade with Kenya. What: Automation of key customs procedures including import processes, export processes, transit and transshipments by land, air, and sea. This eliminates process inaction times, reduce paper work and human interface, thus faster clearance of goods.  The now rolled out, iCMS automates, integrates, and harmonises KRA customs processes into a single system accessible to exporters, importers and customs agents operating within Kenya, with the goal of enhancing efficiency in customs operations, and enabling the country to conform to best global customs standards. In addition to providing relevant clearance information through...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Reform of standards regulatory framework and SQMT" implementor="Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)" target_group="Importers and exporters. Manufacturers. Kenya Bureau of Standards." project_value="US$1,900,000" implementation_period="2011 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) provides trade facilitation services in Standards Quality Management, Metrology, and Testing (SQMT), including the WTO/TBT National Enquiry Point, certification and accreditation. There is need to reform the national SQMT policy and legislation in conformity with an EAC-wide framework; upgrade SQMT and conformity assessment facilities and equipment, and train and raise awareness on the new SQMT regime. TMA will provide support to KEBS in order to carry out this mandate. What: The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) provides trade facilitation services in Standards Quality Management, Metrology, and Testing (SQMT), including the WTO/TBT National Enquiry Point, certification and accreditation. There is need to reform the national SQMT policy and legislation in conformity with an EAC-wide framework; upgrade SQMT and conformity assessment facilities and equipment, and train and raise awareness on the new SQMT regime. TMA will provide support to KEBS in order to carry out this mandate. How: TMA will provide financial and technical assistance to KEBS to support development of legal and regulatory framework and training KEBS and non KEBS quality officials. KEBS will on a day to day basis manage consultants. Procurements and contracting will be done by TMA. Contact: Joshua Mutunga: joshua.mutunga@trademarkea.com 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="42765" image_2="42762"]Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) simplify and...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Development of the Regional Technical Regulations Framework for Facilitating Cross Border Trade in Food and Cosmetic Products" implementor="East African Community (EAC) Secretariat" target_group="National Standards Bodies (NSBs), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Competent Authorities, and affiliate regulatory authorities, manufacturers and cross border businesses." project_value="US$ 100,000" implementation_period="July 2018 – June 2022" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="https://www.trademarkafrica.com/download/63428/"]Development of the regional technical regulations framework for food and cosmetics is responding to challenges experienced by manufacturers/producers and cross border businesses in meeting conformity requirements and accessing their preferred markets in a timely and cost-effective manner. These challenges are caused by the requirements affecting product characteristics or their related conformity processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions and costs, for which compliance is mandatory. Upon adoption, implementation of the framework will see reduced times and costs for compliance, resulting from multiple requirements across EAC Partner States. The framework will also promote cooperation among regional regulatory authorities as well as efficiencies in quality infrastructure investments and resource management. Progress: Following its approval and validation by the East African Standards Committee (EASC), the adopted regional technical regulations framework for facilitating cross border trade in food and cosmetic products documented major success with the development of harmonized criteria for registration, approval and verification of processed and pre-packaged foods, during a taskforce meeting held September 30 2020. Drafting of these criteria was supported by EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) with focus on registration, approval, and verification of processed and pre-packaged foods, which was submitted to the taskforce...

[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, jackie.zizani@trademarkea.com 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="Burundi NTB National Monitoring Committee" implementor="National Monitoring Committee on NTBs" target_group="The Burundian Government, the national and international business stakeholders" project_value="US$ 587,137.8" implementation_period="2011 - 2015" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]NTBs are defined in the EAC as “quantitative restrictions and specific limitations that act as obstacles to trade”. Such restrictions and limitations are embedded in laws, regulations, practices and requirements other than tariffs and include non-tariff charges, government participation in trade, restrictive trade practices and policies, among others. Burundi is particularly affected and in terms of cost of export and import ranks among the most expensive in the world. Reducing the time and cost losses to exporters and importers is thus paramount to Burundi’s increased regional integration and trade facilitation, but also to sustaining growth in the long run. What: The aim of this project is to support the National Monitoring Committee (NMC) develop a national strategy and an action plan on eliminating NTB's. How: TMA will provide the required support to Burundi NMC in hiring a coordinator in charge of coordinating activities of the committee Contact: Sandra Nyambuza, Email: sandra.nyambuza@trademarkea.com 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="42084" image_2="42057"]The NMC Coordinator is fully operational; An NMC Strategy is elaborated and validated, a National Action Plan is elaborated and implemented. Together, this results will strengthen of the NMC for the elimination of NTBs in Burundi[/single_project_block_2][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][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][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Applying the ‘Prioritizing SPS Investment for Market Access (P-IMA)’ Framework to Prioritize SPS Investments For Regional Trade" implementor="The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat" target_group="National Standards Bodies (NSBs), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Competent Authorities, and affiliate regulatory authorities, manufacturers and cross border businesses." project_value="US$ 110,000" implementation_period="October 2019 – December 2020" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="https://www.trademarkafrica.com/download/57400/"]The objective of TMA’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) programme is to facilitate trade in agricultural goods while supporting regulators in their objective of protecting human, animal or plant life, and simultaneously avoid unnecessary barriers to trade. The project is implemented by among others, addressing private sector inability to meet SPS requirements due to inadequate knowledge and skills on SPS risks along the value chain, high costs of control & management of SPS risks, and complex inspection and approval procedures in trade. The P-IMA project’s objective, therefore, is to develop capacity for application of the P-IMA framework for prioritization of trade-related SPS capacity-building and investments options for national and regional interventions. The project will also tackle weak capacities by SPS Competent Authorities and policy frameworks to produce and meet technical requirements. Progress: The project has so far facilitated collaboration between SPS Competent Authorities and stake holders to present the P-IMA framework, and equip SPS experts with knowledge and skills needed to apply P-IMA. Analysis of regional SPS investment options has been completed. This analysis provides evidence to support ranking of investment options and facilitate inputs and strategic policy engagements...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Support to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to Improve Customs Systems" implementor="Uganda Revenue Authority (customs department)" target_group="Ugandan importers and exporters" project_value="US$ 6,953,525" implementation_period="2011 - 2017" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Improving customs processes is key to faster and easier trade and increased revenue collection for Uganda. Since 2004, URA has implemented a major modernization programme that has seen an increase in the collection of domestic taxes. Customs improvements have been less marked. Building on the successes of the first phase, URA is implementing a number of customs reform initiatives. What: The focus is on upgrading of the existing data processing system to bring faster clearance of cargo, improve revenue control and provide up-to-date accurate information on trade in goods. How: TMA is providing financial support to URA to implement the planned reforms and management support to ensure that the implementation plan remains on track and to the quality expected. Contact: Moses Sabiiti, Program Manager, Email: moses.sabiiti@trademarkea.com 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="42403" image_2="43293"]Uganda Revenue Authority improves the efficiency of customs processing resulting in higher revenue collections and a decrease in average time to clear customs consignments. These results will contribute to trade costs 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: Customs IT systems...

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Alternative System for Secure Transit (ASSET)" implementor="EAC Revenue authorities" target_group=" Revenue authorities Traders and clearing agents Financial Institutions Insurance companies " project_value="$3,461,378" implementation_period="2011 - 2014" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Custom bonds are a guarantee required by revenue authorities that goods will exit the country as required and will not be consumed in transit countries to avoid taxes. These bonds are a heavy additional cost to the trader. A TMA commissioned impact assessment demonstrated that switching from national bond schemes to ASSET could have saved $209,000,000 in Kenya alone in the year 2011. What: ASSET is an innovative system to eliminate the need for customs bonds, thus reducing the cost of doing business for traders and clearing agents, while safeguarding revenue. Through ASSET, taxes and duties payable at the country of destination are held in a dedicated financial facility before transit. This amount serves as the guarantee to revenue authorities in transit countries and as the duties and taxes payable upon safe arrival of goods at the intended destination. How: TMA is funding revenue authorities to conduct further research into the feasibility of ASSET and to develop the ICT infrastructure between the financial institutions and revenue authorities. The project supports Burundi and Tanzania revenue authorities to conduct a pilot on the Central Corridor for Burundi’s petroleum imports, through the port of Dar es Salaam. Contact: Alban Odhiambo: alban.odhiambo@trademarkea.com Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts Program[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="fixGreySection" el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2 heading="Desired Results" image_1="41987" image_2="41989"]ASSET will save traders money spent...