Trade Facilitation Priorities for East Africa WTOAFDB Trade

Trade Facilitation Priorities for East Africa WTO-AFDB Trade Facilitation Symposium November 2012

About TMEA Vision: ‘’a united East Africa with flourishing trade, strong investment, and less poverty’’ Mission: ‘’promote rapid advances in East Africa’s integration, trade and global competitiveness for all East Africans” (Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011

WHO WE ARE § Trade and Markets East Africa (Trade. Mark) § Offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan § Multi-donor funded: Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and UK § Budget - $500 m 2010 -2016

Trade Facilitation Rationale (Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES § Improvements in trade Infrastructure at Ports and Border Posts. § ICT for Trade through ASSET, SWIFT, Transport Observatories and support to Revenue Authorities. § Reduction of Non Tariff Barriers. § Support to the East African Clearing and Forwarding Curriculum. 5

Infrastructure challenges

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Infrastructure East African Ports: Handle more than ¾ of East Africa’s transit traffic. TMEA supports KPA and TPA to improve port efficiency and cargo handling to reduce delays and improve business performance. § Port of Mombasa § Port of Dar es Salaam 7

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Infrastructure Border Posts: A major link in transit trade. TMEA works with EAC Partner States to establish One Stop Border Posts to reduce transit costs. § § § 9 Tanzania: Holili, Mutukula, Kabanga and Tunduma Uganda: Mutukula, Mirama Hills, Busia and Elegu Kenya: Busia and Taveta Rwanda: Kagitumba Burundi: Kobero South Sudan: Nimule

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES ICT for Trade Alternative System for Secure Transit (ASSET): Alternative to national and regional bond schemes. Single Window Information for Trade (SWIFT): Online access to trade requirements for import/export trade. Transport Observatory: Data collection, analysis and dissemination to track EAC corridor performance. Technical Assistance to Revenue Authorities: New customs management systems and national electronic single windows. 10

TMEA TRADE FACILITATION INITIATIVES Business Environment Improvement Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers: To reduce and eliminate obstacles to regional and international trade within the EAC. Harmonisation of Standards: To promote a regional approach to regional trade as it applies to standards. Rules of Origin: To strengthen EAC technical capacity to negotiate and apply Ro. O vis-a-vis the Tripartite FTA. Regional Freight Forwarders Training: Support training to enhance clearing and forwarding sector. 11

Conclusion § Partnerships with the EAC § Collaboration with East African Governments § Support to private sector and civil society § Close coordination with donor organisations 12

Thank you (Reference) Doing business in Africa 2011