Country: Trade Policy

Increased Organizational Effectiveness: Provision of Video Conferencing equipment

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Increased Organizational Effectiveness: Provision of Video Conferencing equipment" implementor="East African Community Secretariat" target_group="East African Community" project_value="3.8 M" implementation_period="2012 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]One of the major challenges faced by the Secretariat is the ability to communicate timely and effectively. This impinges on the quality of decisions made and the timeliness of the decision making process. Moreover, a large percentage of the EAC Secretariat budget cost of is associated with travel and transport across the Partner State in attending various meetings related to the development of the East African Region. What: As part of a broad institutional reform programme that is on-going, and particularly as part of the Secretary General’s drive to realise cost-efficiency gains in communication and decision-making, the Council approved the acquisition and installation of a Video Conferencing System (VCS) for the Community. It is expected that the system will not only improve efficiency in communication and decision-making, but it will also help the Secretariat realise significant savings in cost and time. Key outputs include:  Installation and operationalization of VC equipment at EAC Secretariat and Partner States;  Adoption of procedures and guidelines for management of the use of VC System; How: TMA will provide financial and technical assistance to support procurement, installation and operationalization of VC equipment at the EAC Secretariat and Partner States. Contact: Jason Kapkirwork, Email: Jason.kapkirwork@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="42618" image_2="42620"]Improved communication to enhance timely and effective decision making process through provision...

Support to the Office Burundais des Recettes (OBR)

[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 the Office Burundais des Recettes (OBR)" implementor="Office Burundais des Recettes (OBR)/Burundi Revenue Authority" target_group="Importers, exporters, Burundian citizens" project_value="US$ 31,500,000" implementation_period="2011 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]The Government of Burundi (GoB) established the Office Burundais des Recettes (OBR) in 2010. GoB had originally commissioned GtZ and DFID to carry out a study on the modalities and potential benefits of establishing the OBR. Preparations for the OBR were informed by recommendations of the GtZ/DFID study. OBR represents a core part of GoB’s efforts to promote economic recovery and to redevelop the country. Establishing a professional Revenue Authority (RA) and improving revenue collection is essential, to increase resources for economic and social development, to create a better business environment, and to integrate Burundi properly into the EAC. What: The aim of the OBR Programme is to facilitate poverty reduction by improving revenue collection through modernized tax collection and customs administration in Burundi. How: TMA will provide financial and technical assistance to GoBto establish a semi-autonomous RA, with efficient, modern operating structures and procedures; and to establish a more effective fiscal administration. Procurements and contracting will be done by TMA.In this work, OBR will draw on assistance from projects of the World Bank, IMF, France, the EC, and the Investment Climate Facility for Africa Contact: Aimé Nzoyihera, Email: aime.nzoyihera@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="42316" image_2="43286"]OBR maximizes revenue collection[/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...

South Sudan Customs Management Reforms

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="South Sudan Customs management reforms" implementor="South Sudan Customs Service" target_group="Importers and exporters in East Africa" project_value="US$ 10,480,971.21" implementation_period="2011 - 2016" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]As part of the USAID-funded “Sudan Core Institutions Project” there was an assessment of the Customs Service in South Sudan. The report identified a number of “immediate critical actions”. These actions are considered essential before, or immediately after, independence to ensure that South Sudan takes steps towards establishing a fully functioning Customs Service. Customs is recognised as a key priority of GOSS as it takes steps to reduce its over-reliance on oil revenue by building up alternative revenue sources, especially customs duties. What The project aims at supporting the South Sudan Customs Services (SSCS) to become an effective and efficient agency able to support its government's objective of diversifying its revenue incomes while facilitating trade. How: TMA will provide and manage technical assistance to the Government of South Sudan to implement basic fundamentals of customs administration while laying a foundation for a wider customs reform strategy. Contact: John Kalisa, Email:john.kalisa@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="42708" image_2="42656"]Efficient customs processing and improved knowledge and skills of South Sudan’s customs service. This will contribute to reducing 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 &...

Rwanda NTB National Monitoring Committee established

[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...

Reform of standards regulatory framework and SQMT

[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...

Burundi NTB National Monitoring Committee

[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"...

Alternative System for Secure Transit (ASSET)

[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...

Trade Policy: National Export Strategy

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Trade Policy: National Export Strategy" implementor="Ministry of Trade, Kenya" target_group="Kenya" project_value="£ 5,700,000" implementation_period="2019-2023" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Working to implement the national export strategy (NES) action plan will increase Kenya’s exports share in the target regional and global market through a sustained production of goods and services for target export markets. This complements TMA’s planned work across the trade and logistics clusters and the greater export capability work. What: Partnership with the Ministry of Trade to implement the national export strategy action plan by providing technical assistance to conduct market research on prioritised sections and to establish a delivery unit to implement the NES. How: TMA will work with the ministry to ensure that the integrated national export strategy action plan is implemented. These are the following priorities in the greater trade policy project: i)Dissemination of the Export Strategy at the national and county levels ii)Prioritisation and development of NES action plans for implementation iii)Establishment of a delivery unit for NES iv)Procure TAs for sector working groups Market research on prioritised sectors Contact: Joshua Mutunga, Email: joshua.mutunga@trademarkea.com [/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"]i) Improved market access to Kenyan exports ii)Enhanced diversification of products and markets in targeted sectors for Kenyan exports[/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" 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; Burundi NMC National Coordinator is...

Smart Borders East Africa – IBM Border Programme II

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Smart Borders East Africa - IBM Border Programme II" implementor="TMA, jointly with the EAC Secretariat and OSBPs Lead Agencies, in collaboration with all the Government border agencies (Ministries, Departments and Agencies), National OSBPs Steering Committees, National Trade Facilitation Committees, Corridor Authorities and Joint Border Committees." target_group="Border officials, transporters, importers and exporters in Tanzania/East Africa" project_value="US$ 15,168,000" implementation_period="Jul 1, 2018 to Jun 30, 2023 Updated February 2020" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]In Strategy One, TMA supported EAC Partner States to deliver a number of trade facilitation initiatives recommended by the WTO TFA. These include the establishment of 14 One Stop Border Posts and integrated border management programmes. However, there are a number challenges constraining full maximisation of the benefits of SI interventions including sustainability approaches to ensure continuous performance improvements of OSBPS. There are also delays on EAC border frontiers which constrain trade to and from adjoining States notably DRC and Ethiopia. What: The programme focuses on the most immediate priorities that will sustain and further enhance operational efficiency, capacity and environmental sustainability of selected OSBPs. These priorities aim at minimising costs and delays at borders; further streamlining border procedures and establishing a sustainable and systematic border performance improvement programme. How: The programme interventions will be at OSBPS supported in TMA Strategy one and those proposed under strategy two. These include enhancing the monitoring of OSBP performance and improving trade flow efficiency at new borders. Contact: Jackline Murekatete, Email: jackline.murekatete@trademarkea.com Click here to learn more about One Stop Border Posts...

Elimination Of NTBs (Strategy 2)

[vc_row][vc_column][custom_inner_menus select_menu="project"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][single_project_block_1 heading="Elimination Of NTBs (Strategy 2)" implementor="The National Trade Facilitation Committees, The EAC Secretariat, Ministries of Trade, Private Sector business member organizations, Private firms, Border agencies, The Northern and Central Corridor Authorities, Media, Donor organisations with similar programmes in the region e.g. African Development Bank and USAID." target_group="Public and private sector institutions" project_value="US$ 4,120,000" implementation_period="September 2018 - July 2022 Updated February 2020" download_btn_text="Download Project PDF" download_btn_link="#url"]Implementation of TMA Strategy 1 interventions focused on the identification, monitoring, reporting and elimination of NTBs, capacity building of the National Monitoring Committees (NMCs) at the national level, and supported businesses to report NTBs faster by using mobile based applications, specifically the short message systems (SMS). Despite making inroads in the region, there is room for improvement in terms of a more streamlined real-time framework for the identification, monitoring and elimination of NTBs in the region, more deliberate public private dialogue with the aim of tackling the root causes of NTBs. What: Considering success and challenges of the Strategy I interventions aimed at eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers in the EAC region. Strategy II TMA Investment in elimination of NTBS aims to establish a more coordinated process of NTB identification, monitoring and elimination while using more effective delivery channels and better integration with other TMA programmes in the EAC How: The Non-Tariff Barriers programme will focus on two broad areas: Strengthened institutional capacity to effectively respond to and resolve NTBs. Improved cooperation and dialogue in the resolution of existing NTBs. Contact: Mary Odongo, Email: mary.odongo@trademarkea.com[/single_project_block_1][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id="desired-result"][vc_column][single_project_block_2...