The East African Business Council (EABC), has unveiled trade information hub at the Namanga border point to boost regional trade.
The Trade Information Booth at the Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) which targets women and youth will provide crucial trade information regarding the East African Community (EAC) Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
Speaking during the Public-Private Dialogue on Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) EABC Executive Director Adrian Raphael Njau said Women and youth cross-border traders face challenges navigating complex trade procedures.
He urged other border agencies to also simplify certification and lower fee requirements, to be similar to the EAC Simplified Certificate of Origin issued by Customs for goods traded under STR.
According to Njau, EABC case study on cereals and horticulture trade under SRT revealed that high costs of plant health inspection and certification priced at Ksh 12,900, reduce profit margins for traders with low capital and low value consignments, leading some to use ungazetted border crossing.
Principal Secretary, Ministry of EAC, ASALs and Regional Development, State Department for EAC Affairs Mary Maisori reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to resolving non-tariff barriers that will be outlined in the roadmap developed during the Public-Private Dialogue. She urged women and youth traders to utilize the EAC Simplified Trade Regime to enhance their contribution to intra-EAC trade.
During the Public-Private Dialogue, cross-border traders raised concerns over difficulties in accessing import and export permits for products such as milk & cereals, numerous roadblocks, multiple county and municipal fees, and the high costs and complex procedures for plant health inspection and certification — major setbacks to the effective implementation of SRT.
The newly launched Trade Information Booth will serve as a one-stop center for women and youth traders.
It is equipped with a television and tables displaying simplified learning videos with step-by-step procedures for trading cereals and horticultural products. The booth also provides access to online reporting of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), whistle-blowing and complaint mechanisms, and a market information platform.
