The Rwandan government is seriously considering imposing a ban on imported products packaged in non-biodegradable polythene material.
“Goods that directly compete with what is on the domestic market will be restricted by the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (Rema),” said Rwanda’s Minister of Trade, Industry and East African Community Affairs Francois Kanimba.
He added that the decision would only apply to selected products since a total ban on imports packaged in plastics would be in violation of WTO trade systems, which forbid discriminatory restrictions on imports and exports.
As it is, Rwanda Private Sector Federation has been pleading for the government to lift the 2006 ban on domestic manufacturing of non-biodegradable plastic saying that the ban raises production costs for local firms.
Rwanda imports most of its goods and products from Uganda and Kenya as it’s manufacturing sector is small. Data from the central bank shows that Kigali’s trade balance with its East African partners averaged $260 million between 2014 and June 2016.
John Bosco Kanyangoga, a consultant at Trade and Development Links in Kigali said the ban would need the approval of the EAC Council of Ministers. The East African Common Market Protocol and Treaty provides for import bans on grounds of health concerns, environment protection and security.
Source: The Exchange

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