BUSINESS DESK AT EAC REVAMPED TO IMPROVE SERVICES

 

The business desk at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters has been revamped.

The move is intended to enable the  facility to effectively serve as an interface between the private sector and the organization's secretariat. 

This was announced in Dar es Salaam last week during a  CEO Roundtable dinner organized by the East Arican Business Council( EABC) and other industry players. 

"Businesses across the region are set to benefit from this", said the EAC secretary general Peter Mathuki.

He added that the desk will, among other things, address the persistent non-trade barriers (NTBs) and business disputes across the region. 

The event was co-organized by the  apex body of private sector associations in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) and the Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Mathuki said the revamped business desk at the EAC head office will equally be tasked to seek ways that will facilitate intra-regional investments.

"We can increase intra-EAC trade three-fold in the next five years if we promptly work on resolving some of the impending NTBs", he said. 

He also implored on the EAC partner states and the private sector captains to consistently hold Public-Private sector dialogues seeking sustainable solutions to trade challenges.

Tanzania business leaders in attendance expressed their optimism on market access of their goods into the EAC region following the positive support by President Samia Suluhu. 

During the CEO Round Table dinner, Tanzania  business leaders  presented a policy document, with a matrix of intra EAC trade and investment issues that  the private sector is advocating to be promptly resolved.

 The captains of industry urged the EAC Secretariat to fast track the harmonization of domestic taxes and elimination of all discriminatory domestic taxes charged to EAC  goods.

Domestic taxes can be harmonised through the ratification of the EAC Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.

 “Businesses need a conducive environment to thrive, devoid of constant trade barriers. 

"We are optimistic of increased Intra EAC trade with the goodwill from the EAC governments and the EAC secretariat", remarked,” Paul Koyi, the TCCIA  President. 

Tanzania was once again urged to join the EAC One Network Area Country Model to lower the cost of communications and in turn ease doing business in the region. 

To resolve persistent Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), the players also called for the finalization of the amendment of EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Act, 2017.

Others are the activation of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism by operationalizing the EAC Trade Remedies Committee, boosting the participation of women in EAC cross border trade and implementation of EAC coordinate approach on the handling of COVID-19 pandemic for economic resilience and growth.

 The minister for Foreign Affairs and EA Cooperation Am. Liberata Mulamula reiterated the government's commitment to facilitate a conducive business environment to increase trade and investment in Tanzania.

 

“We cannot be progressive as a nation without involving the private sector. The Tanzanian Government is committed to facilitating a conducive business environment to boost trade in the region,” the minister insisted.