By JOSPHINE MWENDE
Eight ministers from each member country of the East African Community, EAC met in Arusha , Tanzania to deliberate on the progress of its integration process. This was the 46th Council of Ministers meeting.
The Council of Ministers meeting came after an earlier one by senior government officials comprising of Principal Secretaries who dealt with many issues affecting the member states. They made recommendations for approval ahead of the 24th Ordinary Heads of State Summit that will take place on November 30th this year.
The Kenyan delegation was lead by EAC, ASALs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul. She was assisted by her Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat among other senior government officials accompanying the delegation.
Among the issues that will be deliberated on are the implementation of the Single Customs Territory, tariff structures , enhancing trade, revenue collection, reducing turnaround time from 21 to 4 days along the EAC corridors and bigger partnerships with the private sector on matters trade.
Further, senior government officials meeting at the EAC headquarters will track reforms in implementing EAc Common Market Protocol. This will include monitoring partner states' progress in aligning national laws with the freedoms and rights under the Common Market Protocol.
The Council of Ministers chaired by South Sudan's EAC minister Mr Deng Alor Kuol will discuss and propose recommendations geared at bettering industrialization to reduce region's reliance on imports and position the EAc as a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Other issues on the discussion table are strengthening EAC's agricultural value chains for key crops, addressing climate challenges and expansion of roads network as well as developments in communications, energy and health sectors.
The EAC Council of Ministers is also looking at strengthening its monetary union. This will be by deliberating on tax harmonization aimed at fostering cross-border investments, preventing tax evasion, removing tax distortions and promoting efficiency in allocating the available resources.
Other matters to be looked into will be those aimed at strengthening democracy, good governance, legislation and justice in the regional bloc.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
No comments
Post a Comment