South Sudan inks deal with regional trade lobby to ease movement of cargo Cargo Attipoe, Head of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), lauded the memorandum of understanding reached between the two parties. Memorandum will include setting up of the digitised regional electronic cargo tracking system and trade information portals to help improve revenue collection. “The MoU being signed today is very significant and timely because of the current macro-economic realities in the country. “Also the government’s quest to diversify revenue base from overreliance on oil revenue to non-oil revenue,” he told journalists in Juba. He said that the support from Trade Mark East Africa and other development partners meets the general objective in chapter four of the signed revitalised peace agreement as it aims to improve on fiscal sustainability, transparency and accountability of revenue. South Sudan, is a member of the East African Community which includes Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda. South Sudan is already implementing the non-oil revenue mobilisation and accountability project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at enhancing non-oil revenue administration. “The MoU will shape the present and future relationship between the two organisations and define how national revenue authority and Trade Mark East Africa. The authority will continue to work together on technical and infrastructure support to customs division of the national revenue authority,” said Attipoe. He also noted that besides supporting capacity building of the customs department, Trade Mark East Africa is also facilitating the construction of the Nimule border parking...

(MENAFN) South Sudan and regional trade facilitating body Trade Mark East Africa (TMA) inked a memorandum of understanding with a purpose to facilitate movement of humanitarian cargo and relief supplies. Under the agreement, the two sides are likely to establish a digitized regional electronic cargo tracking system, unveiled head of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Olympio Attipoe. Both sides are also expected through the deal to trade information portals in order to boost the collection of revenue, the chief affirmed. Attipoe addd: "the MoU being signed today is very significant and timely because of the current macro-economic realities in the country and the government's quest to diversify revenue base from overreliance on oil revenue to non-oil revenue." MENAFN1808201900450000ID1098895245 Source: MENAFN

TMA recently announced its new strategy in Rwanda, injecting over US$ 50Million in various projects ranging from physical infrastructure development on Lake Kivu to building digital trade platforms. TradeMark Africa has been feted by the Rwanda Trade body Private Sector Federation (PSF) for its work in reducing barriers to trade in Rwanda. TMA recently announced its new strategy in Rwanda, injecting over US$ 50Million in various projects ranging from physical infrastructure development on Lake Kivu to building digital trade platforms. East Africa is one of the fastest growing blocs in the world, however, the potential of the EAC in regard to growing regional trade is yet to be fully achieved. “This is partially due to the fact that as individual member countries pursue their national industrial policies, they are likely to implement measures that counter regional integration obligations. As a result, trade disputes and non-tariff barriers persist,” Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Ms Phyllis Wakiaga said in a statement. During the presentation of the award at the inaugural Golden Business Forum (GBF), held in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, TMA was recognised for it’s visionary trade facilitation work in the East African region, as well as the consistent track record of building partnerships with private and public sector to enable Rwanda citizens from all walks of life, trade easier across borders. PSF Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Ruzibiza, said that TMA was awarded for its, “Exceptional foresight and creating a business environment that has changed considerably the everyday lives of traders in Rwanda,” he...

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry will play host to next month's General Assembly of the Great Lakes Region Private Sector Forum ahead of the Great Lakes Investment and Trade Conference (GLITC) to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in November. The regional private sector forum to be attended by private sector representatives from twelve Great lakes Region member states will position Kenya as a regional investment hub in entrenching diplomatic trade ties within the African continent and the rest of the world. While hosting the Kncci president Richard Ngatia at the at the United Nations Complex in Gigiri Nairobi yesterday, the special envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations for the Great Lakes Region Huang Zia said the contribution of Kenya’s business community will bring peace in the Great Lakes Region through trade.' On his part, the Kenya chamber president committed his organisation will work with the Office of the Special Envoy to ensure that the investment and trade conference in Kigali becomes successful. “The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kncci) will host the forthcoming General Assembly of the Great Lakes Region Private Sector Forum," Ngatia said. He added, "The chamber is keen to solidify the existing cordial relations the two offices enjoy in various fronts of cooperation especially in bringing peace in the Great Lakes Region through trade.” The regional private sector forum is slated for September 18, 2019 will see the chairman of the Great lakes region private sector and business community...

Intra-African trade declined to 14.4 per cent in 2018, with the continental countries trading more with the Asia, according to a review by the African Development Bank (AfDB) The Annual Development Effectiveness Review 2019, indicates the activity was low against a 2015 baseline of 14.6 per cent and a target for 2018 at 17 per cent. The trade is expected to reach 25 per cent in 2025. AfDB said non-tariff barriers and a lack of political goodwill to address the challenges impede progress. It also cites poor infrastructure in roads and energy transmission lines constructed or rehabilitated to enhance cross-border trade. “Intra-Africa trade could grow by up to 15 per cent if the bilateral tariffs that are applied today in Africa are eliminated and the rules of origin kept simple and transparent,” AfDB said. The bank points to barriers that could restrain the African regional economic integration that was given a boost in March 2018 with the established African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is projected to increase intra-African trade by 52 per cent by 2022. Kenya ratified the deal. AfCFTA became operational in July after meeting the ratification threshold from other 22 countries. “By committing countries to remove tariffs on 90 per cent of goods, liberalising tariffs on services and addressing other non-tariff barriers, AfCFTA is expected to significantly increase the value of intra-Africa trade and investment,” notes the report. According to the bank, barriers such as cost of trading across borders remains high, more than Sh245,000 (at $2384), after falling slightly in 2017. According to AfDB, the countries are making initiatives...

The coming together of the East African Community members to harmonize customs processes has not only made it easier for traders to do business but also drastically reduced serious transnational crimes and enhanced revenue collection. This is mainly attributed to the implementation of the Single Customs Territory. Established in 2014, the SCT has reduced the cost of doing business by eliminating duplication of processes. It has also reduced administrative costs, regulatory requirements and the risks associated with non-compliance on the transit of goods. This is because taxes are paid at the first point of entry for all the partner states. Going by the latest statistics on revenue collection from the borders, it is evident that the investment on joint Customs initiatives is bearing fruits. Most One Stop Border Posts, being one of the SCT initiative, coadministered by KRA customs and revenue agencies from the other EAC member states have registered growth in revenue. Commonly traded goods in the region include sugar, timber, unprocessed tobacco and fresh farm produce, coffee, cotton lint, teak logs/beams, construction materials, vehicle spare parts and manufactured goods. Further, the OSBP concept has increased border crossing speed and efficiency hence reducing barriers to trade and improving business competitiveness. The average time taken to clear a truck is 5-10 minutes compared to 2-3 days previously. On the Northern Corridor, the turnaround time of goods transitin from Mombasa to Kampala has been reduced from 18 days to four, and goods from Mombasa to Kigali, from 21 days to six....

Mwanza. The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is planning to spend Sh10 billion to modernise and otherwise improve the infrastructures of all the ports on Lake Victoria. TPA’s Lake Victoria ports manager, Mr Morris Mchindiuzi, named the ports which will be improved as including Nyamirembe in Geita Region; Magagani and Nyamkwikwi in Kagera Region; Lushamba and Ntama in Mwanza Region, as well as Mwigobelo in Mara Region. “Improvements of the ports’ infrastructures target to strengthen their cargo and passengers handling and transportation capacities in line with growing demands,” he said – adding that the job is projected to be completed by the end of this year. Noting that the improvements would also boost revenues for the Ports Authority, Mr Mchindiuzi revealed that, “during the 2017/18 financial year, we collected Sh590 million in revenues. This almost doubled to Sh1.4 billion in 2018/19 – and we expect to collect Sh1.8 billion in the 2019/20 financial year.” All the ports in question handled a total of 280,000 passengers and 84 tonnes of cargoes during the 2017/18 financial year, the manager said. The figures dramatically rose in the following year (FY-2018/19), when the ports handled a record 157,000 tonnes of cargoes and 600,000 passengers. In that regard, it is projected that some 167,000 tonnes of cargoes and 700,000 passengers will be handled through all the ports during the 2019/20 financial year. “We expect to increase the number of passengers and tonnage of cargoes handled through the ports after we complete the envisaged improvements to the...

Ambassador Katureebe Tayebwa Consul - General of Uganda in Mombasa said more commitment was required from all stakeholders’ especially political leaders and state bureaucrats to remove barriers to trade. TRADE Many direct and indirect trade barriers continue to hinder increased trade among East Africans which could have led to increased prosperity in the region. Ambassador Katureebe Tayebwa Consul - General of Uganda in Mombasa said more commitment was required from all stakeholders’ especially political leaders and state bureaucrats to remove barriers to trade. This was during the Third Trade and Business Facilitation Symposium 2019 organized by the Consulate of Uganda in Mombasa and Trade Mark East Africa, an institution seeking to push prosperity in the region through increased trade. Tayebwa cited that Uganda’s tea exports go to the Port of Mombasa for the tea auction and so the two countries need each other. “We need to tackle the challenges that continue to hinder the seamless movement of goods in the region. We need to create networks in the region to harness the opportunities presented as well as create a platform where we can share challenges encountered in trade," Tayebwa said. Tayebwa said trade and business facilitation will be successful when supported through transformation of the economy and investing in infrastructure.' He said the governments in the region were investing heavily in infrastructure development. “We need to increase exports from the region. No country can develop without setting up industries for exports which create jobs and bring in foreign exchange,” Tayebwa...

Customs agents and freight forwarders in Kenya have begun domesticating a regional Bill aimed at self-regulating an industry that has been operating without legal backing for decades. The East African Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders Management Model Bill 2017 is set to be implemented in all the six East African countries. Consequently, the Kenya Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders Management Bill 2019 will be tabled in parliament soon. "The final draft is awaiting the input of government departments including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Ports Authority before we submit it to the National Assembly House committee," said Roy Mwanthi, the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association chairman. Once the Bill becomes law, the association will be transformed into a society to be governed by a national council elected by freight and Customs agents bodies. It will set professional standards for the sector, provide certification and registration as well as a code of conduct including how to solve disputes among members. Source: The East African

East African Community member states are working towards linking the regional electronic payment system to other payment solutions in Africa, to moderate trade around the continent following the launch of the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). EAC central banks are now finding ways of transforming the system by linking it with other payment solutions in Africa to allow seamless transfer of cash across the continent at both retail and wholesale levels. Bank of Uganda’s deputy governor Dr Louis Kasekende said the move will help improve intra-Africa trade and support the growth of regional firms. At present, Kenya controls transactions in the EAPS, which allows citizens of member countries to make and receive payments in regional currencies — the Kenyan shilling, Ugandan shilling, Tanzanian shilling, Rwandan franc and Burundian franc. South Sudan is yet to join the system, which links the respective real time gross settlements (RTGS) systems of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The operationalisation of the EAPS was largely meant to stregnthen regional currency convertibility. Kenya’s Central Bank is working in partnership with other regional central banks to smoothen the acceptance of the EAC domestic currencies as a way of enhancing regional trade and lowering transaction costs. In other regional blocs such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, execution of currency convertibility has been enhanced by grouping member states into clusters. These are the Southern African subgroup, Northern African subgroup, Central and Eastern African subgroup and the Indian Ocean subgroup. According to the Comesa...