Somalia, the East African Community’s (EAC) 8th Partner State, has moved to unlock regional trade opportunities with the launch of a National Monitoring Committee on the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs).
- •Somalia has established technical committees to fast track the implementation of the region’s Customs Union and Common Market protocols, as well as other ongoing bilateral trade engagements, particularly with Kenya.
- •The committee’s structure includes representatives from 16 public sector institutions and eight key private sector associations.
- •The NMC will lead the identification, reporting, and resolution of NTBs through regional mechanisms such as the EAC NTB Mobile Application, the Tripartite Online Reporting Platform, and quarterly national coordination meetings.
“The launch of the National Monitoring Committee is more than a procedural step; it is a symbol of institutional readiness and a shared commitment to unlocking regional trade opportunities. Somalia’s entry into the EAC brings dynamic potential and opens a new trade frontier,” said Annette Ssemuwemba, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs.
“This launch reflects not only our institutional preparedness but also our political commitment to advancing regional trade and integration,” said Mohammed Isaac Ibrahim, the Director General for EAC Affairs at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will serve as Chair, while the Somalia Chamber of Commerce and Industry will act as Co-Chair.
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