- The Minister of State for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi has urged the eight East African Community Partner States to remove all the existing non tariff barriers and allow unhindered trade amongst themselves.
Mbadi was speaking during the Uganda Day celebrations at the 25th EAC Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) trade fair at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya.
In his remarks, Gen. Mbadi said it is regrettable that EAC Partner States still suffer from Non Tariff barriers to trade.
The reason why the inter-regional trade in EAC is only 20%, compared to 46% in Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) and 65% for the European Union.”If we can not promote trade amongst ourselves, how can we benefit from the African Continental Free Trade,” exclaimed Mbadi
He urged the EAC Partner States to focus on the commitments stipulated in the East African Treaty, especially Artcile 7 (c).