Head of Government Communication Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Co-operation Ms Mindi Kasiga told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the move will ensure smooth businesses among traders of the partner states.
“We call upon traders and citizens to communicate with my ministry in case they encounter any non tariff barrier in their businesses within the regional bloc”, Ms Kasiga said. She said traders can lodge their complaints related to NTBs through short text messages by sending the word ‘NTB’ to 15593 or through www.tradebarriers.org.
Ms Kasiga further noted that for track drivers travelling within the regional bloc can communicate directly to the Police Force through mobile number 0713631780. She, however, reminded traders to observe the required procedures for cross border trade within the EAC market to avoid inconveniences such as loss of goods.
“Tanzanian businessmen can conduct trade within the EAC bloc without paying customs duty if they have fulfilled all the requirements approved by the partner states,” she observed.
Ms Kasiga further outlined steps to be observed by small scale traders while conducting business in EAC market among them securing Simplified Certificate of Origin (SCO) which is provided for free at the customs border offices. SCO allows customs officials in the destination country not to charge import duty on consignment with the value not exceeding USD 2000.
“The simplified certificate of origin is meant for small-scale traders whose goods do not exceed 2,000 US Dollars and they are not required to use clearing agents because all the process to secure the certificate will be done at the customs border offices,” Ms Kasiga noted.
She said that small-scale traders will also be required to observe procedures required by other institutions such as Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) and Tanzania Bureau of Standard (TBS) for importing and exporting goods.
Ms Kasiga, however, noted that Tanzanian traders cannot utilise business opportunities available in South Sudan as a new member to the EAC because it is yet to return the membership certificates (instruments) to acquire full membership. The EAC is formed by six countries namely Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
Director of Trade, Investment and Productive Sectors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Co-operation, Mr Geoffrey Mwambe said that most of Tanzanian traders were yet to utilise the existing opportunities in the trading bloc thus why the government has taken initiative to sensitise people about the regional market.
“Tanzanian traders should fully utilise the potentials because it is their right and part of the implementation of the EAC objectives, which have been stipulated in the protocol for the formation of the EAC where member states established the East African Customs Union,” Mr Mwambe said.

Source: Daily News

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