The European Union on Thursday offered to support Kenya fast track results of the COVID-19 testing for the long-distance truck drivers in Busia and Malaba border points. Currently, it is taking longer than is comfortable for these drivers to get their COVID-19 results at the border points connecting Kenya and Uganda. The EU Ambassador to Kenya Mr Simon Mordue said they have come up with a regional electronic cargo driver-tracking system which will help track the COVID-19-status of truck drivers electronically. “In the next two weeks, the App will be up and running and will be linked to all Covid-19 testing Centres across the country. The technology will at the same time make it possible to follow the trajectory of the trucks and help the detection of short-landing,” he said. The EU envoy made the revelation at the Busia One-Stop Border Post where the EU donated equipment including re-usable boots and masks, washing points, hand sanitizers, liquid handwashing soap, disinfectant sprays and protective PPEs to border frontline health workers, customs operators and women organizations in Kenya and Uganda. “The EU through TradeMark Africa (TMA) will also establish safe trade which will allow close space zone for women small scale traders to continue operating their businesses as the border remains closed due to Corona Virus pandemic,” he added. Kenya’s Ministry of Health Chief Administrative Secretary, Dr. Rashid Aman said they will use the App to link up with their laboratory testing systems to facilitate detection of truck drivers’ Covid-19 status at...

In Summary It says categories that registered the largest drops include: Petroleum products; machinery equipment, vehicles & accessories; base metals and their products; and miscellaneous manufactured articles. In comparison with April 2020, the import bill increased by 23.4 per cent from $334.36 million (Shs1.2 trillion) to $412.73 million (Shs1.5 trillion) in May 2020, on account of growth in non-oil private sector imports. Despite the slowdown in international trade due to Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has revealed that Uganda recorded a trade surplus with the European Union of $0.32 million (Shs118 million) and the Middle East $87.70 million (324 billion) in May 2020 The Ministry said in the performance of the economy report of July 2020 that export earnings increased by 40.4 per cent in May 2020 to $290.93 million (Shs1.07 trillion) from $207.15 million (Shs765 billion) in the previous month. “This was the first time since January 2020 that exports were registering an increment, implying that the supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is starting to ease. However, in comparison with the same period last year, export earnings decreased from $349.61 million (Shs1.3 trillion) in May 2019 to $ 290.93 million (Shs1.07 trillion) in May 2020,” said the Ministry. They added: “The Middle East was the leading destination for Uganda’s exports accounting for 44.4 per cent of all exports. It was followed by the EAC at 23.1 per cent and the European Union at 12.5 per cent." However, during the under review,...

The COMESA bloc has developed an online portal for member states to exchange information on availability of essential products within the region as part of its strategy to lessen the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, the platform will connect buyers to suppliers of essential goods thereby promoting and fostering intra-COMESA trade. It is a platform largely meant to support regional trade, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mwangi Gakunga, Head of Corporate Communications at the COMESA Secretariat, on Monday, July 20, told The New Times that the new tool "will enable suppliers in one country link up with buyers in another by uploading the products they have on the platform." Gakunga explained that for it to work, suppliers must be registered companies in their home countries. He said: "They will register on the platform and open an account and this will be vetted by the governmental focal points mainly in the ministry that coordinates COMESA activities who will approve and activate the account or advise otherwise." "This is to ensure the integrity of the companies allowed to post on the platform. Once the supplier account is activated, he or she can post the products on the platform." The platform will also help small-scale cross-border traders and SMEs to have access to market information and will link producers, sellers and buyers. It comes as the regional bloc noted that measures being implemented by member states such as closing borders to prevent the spread of the Covid-19...

In Summary Waema says there are over 150 drivers being held in two quarantine facilities in Busia county, some beyond 14 days. Ten others were recently transferred to Lodwar from Nandapal, the border between Sudan and Kenya, after staying in a quarantine facility for over two months. Long-distance truck drivers have complained of being held in quarantine facilities longer than necessary. Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers union chairman Roman Waema on Tuesday told the Star there are over 150 drivers in two quarantine facilities in Busia county, some have been there beyond 14 days. Ten others were recently transferred to Lodwar from Nandapal, the border between Sudan and Kenya after staying in a quarantine facility for over two months. Muhktar Hassan, a truck driver, said at the Sudanese quarantine facility, their test results kept fluctuating from positive to negative, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the kits. “After two months, they brought us to a quarantine facility in Lodwar behind the university and told us we will go for home-based care. But they are still holding us here,” Hassan said on the phone. He said the 10 have families who depend on them and have been suffering for the last two months. Waema said truckers are increasingly getting frustrated by government officers. “If you keep a driver at a facility for longer than required because they asked questions, what do you expect their families to eat?” he posed. Isaac Kirwa and Jacob Kamau are two of the...

NAIROBI, KENYA: The East African Business Council (EABC) has endorsed sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed for the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Director-General position. In a statement, the outfit noted that Amina joining the WTO will be timely as Africa is keenly focusing on the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “She is a strong advocate for the actualization of the AfCFTA and has also chaired the WTO’s 10th Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi in 2015, the Dispute Settlement Body and the WTO’s General Council in 2005, her passion for international trade, exemplary strategic leadership, diplomatic and negotiation skills maker her the right candidate for the job,” said Peter Mathuki, CEO East African Business Council. Her success in the position will be a great opportunity for the EAC bloc and Africa towards championing global economic policy to increase the continent’s share in global trade. “The business community in East Africa is assured that Amb. Mohamed will steer the WTO to greater heights. As a former Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya she is bold and proficient, it will be an honour for the continent to have the first African and first woman as the Director-General of the WTO,” said Dr. Mathuki. Mohamed said on Monday she is seeking Washington’s backing and expressed some sympathy with its criticism of the global body as she emerges as one of two reform-minded African female frontrunners. Delegates say Mohamed, a 58-year-old minister, and former WTO chair, is one of...

In Summary Sugar manufacturers have seen growth in surplus to about 170,000 tonnes as neighbouring countries, in which they have been selling some of the stockpiles, lockout sugar exports, especially from Uganda. Ugandan sugar manufacturers are facing an existential crisis after Kenya last week banned sugar imports, opting to solve challenges facing the country’s sugar industry. The ban means that at least 35,000 tonnes of sugar exports from Uganda will be locked out of Kenya, which is expected to increase Uganda’s stockpile. Uganda, according to Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association, is currently grappling with stockpiles of about 150,000 tonnes with Tanzania, which had previously completely banned exports from Uganda, only allowing in about 20,000 tonnes. Mr. Jim Kabeho, the Uganda Sugar Manufacturers Association chairman yesterday told Daily Monitor the sector is in a crisis, which, unless urgently addressed by government and regional governments is expected to force out some manufacturers. “We are in a crisis. Local sales are low and now exports [are being locked out]. It is a big problem. If we can’t sell then factories are going to close,” he said, noting the crisis is expected to spread out to farmers, who can no longer sell their cane and efforts to sell it to countries such as Kenya have also faced challenges. Last week, Kenya closed out truckloads of cane from entering its territory for unexplained reasons. Kenya bans imports. About two weeks ago, Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya announced a ban on all sugar imports and subsequently...

Paradoxically, the health and economic crisis have shown that the restoration of local production will be achieved through greater trade and economic integration. The post-pandemic period promises to be a moment of opportunity for Africa, that of securing supply by bringing production back to the continent. Yet the risks of supply disruption are not as much linked to a lack of factories in Africa as they are to the concentration of trade. Africa imports 75% of its drugs from Europe, India, and China. First and foremost, securing supply requires greater diversification of suppliers, backed up by trade agreements. Can this be done in a way that benefits African countries? Intra-community trade within EAC Intra-continental trade circuits are more fragile than international circuits. Despite the pandemic, cargo aircraft continue to land in Nairobi, container ships dock in Djibouti and oil tankers leave Port Sudan. Traffic in the Kenyan port of Mombasa is only expected to decrease 2.1% in the first quarter of 2020 as compared to 2019. The problem lies elsewhere. Quality of infrastructure Intra-Community trade within the East African Community (EAC) represents only 20% of its total trade (as opposed to 70% in Europe). Several factors are to blame for this, including the poor quality of infrastructure, complex administrative procedures, low competition in the carrier industry, and a lack of interconnectivity between the various modes of transport. For example, clearing a container takes eight days in Mombasa, less than two days in Mauritius and barely ten minutes in Europe. These differences are even more pronounced...

In Summary The app will follow the trajectory of the truck and detect any smuggling or short-landing. The app is expected to be launched within two weeks. Truck drivers have welcomed a decision by the government to introduce an application through which they can access coronavirus test results. EU ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue said Friday they are partnering the government to release the app in two weeks. The cargo transporters said on Sunday the app will limit the frequency of travel to Covid-19 test centres to pick their results. They also said the development will hasten the delivery of test results to individual drivers thus reducing the time they spend queuing on the roads. Mark Kibet who plies the Mombasa-Tororo route transporting clinker to the Tororo Cement Industry in eastern Uganda said he was ready to download and use the app. “That is a good decision because that app will help us when our samples have been taken. We will only be returning to our vehicles and wait for the results to come out through our phones,” he said in Amagoro. Results take two to three days and when they are released, drivers have had to travel again to Malaba to pick them, he said. Truck drivers are screened for the coronavirus after every 14 days and it has been cumbersome for them to travel to test centres to collect result certificates. Abdallah Boru who plies the Mombasa-Kampala and Mombasa-Juba routes said developers of the app deserve commendation. It...

Summary The chairlady of the Busia Cross-Border Cooperative, Ms Mariam Babu, said the banning of border trade has adversely affected over 7,000 traders. “Over 80 per cent of informal cross-border traders are women. This has caused strife in many families as women are unable to sustain their needs,” she said. The government says it will enhance surveillance on the Covid-19 pandemic at the country’s border points as it balances between minimising disruption of trade and keeping people healthy. Health Cabinet Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman, while raising concerns that the regions have become hotspots for transmission of the virus, assured traders Friday that they will not be adversely affected. “The sudden spike of cases is forcing us to put in place urgent but necessary measures to safeguard the lives of those involved and promote safe trade,” Dr Aman said in Busia. He attributed the increase in cases of Covid-19 at the border point to the huge traffic snarl-ups caused by truck drivers who queue to deliver goods on either sides of the boundary. “We are at the stage of community transmission and people must observe the stipulated health protocols,” he said. The European Union, in partnership with Trademark East Africa, donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to various stakeholders at the border. Led by EU Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue, the team delivered safety gears worth Sh552 million to both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities. The consignment included safety boots, reusable masks, infrared thermoguns, reusable face masks, hand sanitisers and gloves. Cross-border small-scale traders...

COMESA has developed an online portal to be used by Member States to exchange information on availability of essential products within the region. This is in response to a directive issued by the COMESA Council of Ministers in May this year to develop the platform to support regional trade, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary General Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe launched the prototype platform to representatives of Member States, during a virtual meeting on Friday. The focal points will coordinate with the private sector in populating the platform with information on essential supplies. This is expected to boost local production and address shortages in supply from outside the region. Ms. Kapwepwe said the platform will enable Member States to share information on availability of products and their potential to produce and supply all different types of goods. It will connect buyers to suppliers of essential goods thereby promoting and fostering regional intra-COMESA trade. As part of the roll out and implementation of the platform, the Secretariat conducted a training programme considering that multiple stakeholder use is needed to make it versatile, functional and sustainable. Secretary General said the platform will also help small-scale cross-border traders and SMEs to have access to market information and linking producers, sellers and buyers. She noted that measures being implemented by Member States such as closing borders to prevent the spread of the pandemic are slowing down economic activity and have severely impacted cross border trade. She said the implementation of the Digital Trade Facilitation programme and...