Civil society unhappy with slow pace of regional integration

By Patrick Jaramogi

TRADE experts have asked for regional integration to be fast tracked in order to establish a competitive single regional market and investment area.

Stakeholders, especially the business sector, have also expressed disgruntlement over the failure of partner states to adhere to the provisions of the common market protocol, thus hindering the free movement of goods.

At a three-day regional symposium on strengthening stakeholder engagement in the EAC regional integration process, trade experts observed that more needs to be done to attain full integration process.

Nathan Irumba, the executive director the Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI), which organised the symposium, noted that civil society is concerned that the integration process is not people centred and private sector led.

“Many people today are minimally aware of the process and how they can benefit from it,” he said. Edith Mwanje, the permanent secretary, Ministry of East African Community Affairs, concedes that there are critical issues that need to be addressed. 

These include the roles of various stakeholders, the expected results contribution and the challenges that inhibit people from benefiting from the EAC.

Mohammad Moki, the assistant commissioner, economic affairs in the EAC affairs ministry, observed that a number of non-tariff barriers still exist at the border points of the different EAC partner states and have hindered the successful implementation of the Customs Union and the Common Market where the free movement of workers and goods still appears to be a dream.

Bernard Mulengani, an MP in the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) ,called for the harmonisation of standards to ensure that there is acceptability. 

“In regard to free movement of capital, fiscal policies should be aligned with the money market mobility,” he said.

Kassim Omar, a board director of the East African Business Council, called for the expedition of the harmonisation schedules and enactment of new laws by EALA.

“The EAC integration process has been faced with a number of challenges including the limited EAC secretariat capacity to enforce resolutions, partner states inability to grasp full EAC vision of the integration agenda, latent political objectives, and leadership crisis in the region,” he stressed.

Kassim singled out the EAC sectarian/ethnic orientations, protectionism and reluctance to harmonise trade and investment policies by EAC partner states as an impediment to regional integration.

“EAC ministries in the different partner states should engage the people more at the grassroots levels while we promote and encourage balanced intra regional investments and trade partnerships,” he said.

Deo Byaruhanga, from the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, pointed out that a joint committee was being formed to review bilateral trade arrangements and terms of reference.

He said committees were addressing issues related to elimination of non-tarrif barriers, promotion of cross-border trade, cooperative development, public private partnerships and infrastructure.

He also said the process of enhancing legal and regulatory framework was on course to attracting Investors.

Henry Bazira, the chairperson of the Civil Society Coalition on Oil and Gas, noted that the EAC region is endowed with a diversity of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that need proper management to foster economic growth.

Bazira noted that the natural resources present special opportunities and challenges for the countries that hold them. He called for proper utilisation of these resources to create greater prosperity for current and future generations.

He, however, warned on the challenges associated with these resources, if used

badly. These include economic instability, social conflict and lasting environmental damage.

He observed that natural resource exploitation should be pursued to meet a country’s broader social and economic goals.

“Whatever the decision, there are practical guidelines that need to be undertaken to maximise the opportunities presented by any given natural resource,” he said.

Denis Onyango the CUTS ARC Director noted that the neglect of agriculture sector had led to the decline in productivity.

He said agricultural development is crucial for the EAC regional integration process. Onyango highlighted challenges facing agricultural productivity in EAC as small-scale nature of agriculture in EAC, donor-led food aid and lack of cooperation among partner states. 

He called for policy measures that enhance land productivity, such as increasing the availability, accessibility and affordability of fertilisers to low-income earning farmers.

The East African Community came into force in 2000 after the ratification of a Treaty for establishment amongst the region’s pioneer partner states; Uganda Kenya and Tanzania. 

The community later expanded with the inclusion of Rwanda and Burundi in 2009.