The East African Community has moved a step to eliminating Non-Tarrif Barriers (NTBs) through the introduction of EAC NTBs App.
- The App is set to revolutionise the region’s trading landscape by streamlining the reporting, monitoring, and resolution of impediments traders face as they conduct business across borders.
- The EAC NTBs App, seamlessly blending SMS, email, and phone reporting methods, offers economic operators a one-stop solution for effectively reporting Non-Tariff Barriers to trade.
- By streamlining the NTB reporting process, the App will aid traders and producers in tackling obstacles that impede their trade efficiency and competitiveness.
It ensures transparency and quick resolution of issues by engaging technical and policy-level mechanisms, such as National Focal Points, the National Monitoring Committees (NMCs) and the Regional Monitoring Committee (RMC).
Non-Tarrif Barriers pose a major problem for traders and producers, as they can reduce profits and limit market access. NTBs include issues such as discriminatory requirements for special licenses and permits, complicated customs procedures, and bureaucratic delays at borders.
- A recent EAC Regional Meeting Committee (RMC) report (2023) estimated the direct costs of NTB’s at USD16,703,970 and total trade impact at USD94,918,000 decreasing trade by an average of 58%.
- Since 2017, EAC has resolved 89.5% of the reported NTBs (EAC Time Bound Programme report, 2023).
- In addition, there has been a relatively steady decrease in reported NTBs.
In recent years, from 2021 to 2023, the number of reported NTBs complaints has remained stable, ranging between 8 and 11 cases annually with a significant improvement in the resolution of NTBs reported to an average of 88.3 days.
Between June 2022 and June 2023, a total of 16 NTBs complaints were reported within EAC. Out of these, 9 NTBs have been resolved while 7 complaints remained in progress.
A significant number of NTB complaints were addressed (56.25%) and resolved within the given timeframe. However, a notable portion of complaints, specifically (43.75%) were still in progress by end of June 2023.
The EAC NTBs App allows the users to report the complaints in one of the three (3) EAC official languages; English, Swahili and French and can be downloaded from the Apple Store, Google’s Play Store, and other Android devices.
Speaking during the launch of the App, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, Annette Ssemuwemba said the EAC NTBs App marks a pivotal moment in creating a smooth trading environment across the EAC region.
“This innovative solution serves as a powerful tool to empower traders, producers and economic operators offering them with a unified platform to promptly address and resolve NTBs,” she added.
“it is our hope that this will be the turning point in effectively identifying and swiftly resolving NTBs in the region,” Ms. Ssemuwemba.
Pending Non-Tarrif Barriers and National Protection Frustrate Intra-EAC Trade – Kenyan Wallstreet
