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EAC

East African Community


Free-trade deal ‘hinges on deeper integration’
A trade expert yesterday warned that vested interests and policy differences in the East Africa and Southern African region could derail a bid to create a free-trade agreement among 26 countries unless there was enough "political stomach for deeper (regional) integration".
T-FTA: Devil is in implementation
Success of the grandiose Tripartite Free Trade Area will largely depend on how geared members of COMESA, EAC and SADC are to swiftly implementing agreements and trade protocols.
Need to tighten RECs
In the inaugural tripartite summit held in Kampala, Uganda in October 2008, our heads of state and government made a number of decisions, one of which was that the 26 countries that make up the COMESA-EAC-SADC tripartite should speed up the process of integration as outlined in the Lagos plan of action and as articulated by the continental body of the African union commission.
Tripartite FTA summit in June
The first summit of the envisaged Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA) will be held in South Africa on June 12 where a specific roadmap and timetable for implementation of the expanded economic grouping will be announced.
Tripartite Free Trade Plan May Repeat Previous Mistakes
With regional wheels rolling to put in place the envisaged grand tripartite free trade area (FTA), questions have arisen about whether it would be viable and increase competitiveness.
SA to host SADC-Comesa-EAC free trade agreement summit this year
Before mid-year South Africa would host the next summit on the establishment of a Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA) among the regional economic groupings of the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Economic partnership agreement trade talks stall
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between East African Community and the European Union are reported to have stalled, EAC sources said in Arusha on Sunday.
Negotiations for Africa free trade area to start by mid-year – Davies
Negotiations for a tripartite free trade area (FTA), which would include 26 East and Southern African member states, were expected to begin by mid-year, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Tuesday.
Implementation challenges will haunt Grand FTA
Implementation challenges and barriers to trade liberalization currently dogging SADC’s Free Trade Area (FTA) will continue to haunt member states in the implementation of an ambitious grand FTA encompassing COMESA, EAC and SADC.
COMESA FTA deal in final stages
As the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) continue to integrate their economies, countries are now subscribing to the block’s trading area in order to attract investment.
South Africa pushes for new African FTA
South Africa is pushing ahead to secure a free trade agreement between the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) and the Common Market for East African States (Comesa).
Stalled trade pact with Europe leaves exporters exposed
Kenya’s fish and horticultural exporters face another year of uncertain trade relations with Europe, putting billions of shillings at stake.
EPAs bound to stir unhealthy competition
Kenya Human Rights Commission has called on the government to discontinue Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) negotiations with the European Union arguing that if signed would deepen dependency on Europe.
East Africa says EU trade deal talks still on
Trade ministers from the East African Community (EAC) economic bloc plan to continue trade talks with the European Union despite missing a November deadline, a top Kenyan official said on Tuesday.
EU has a hidden agenda in EPA, says expert
The European Union (EU) has a hidden agenda in its trade negotiations with East African Community (EAC), which is not open to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), say policy expert.
EAC-EU trade deal risks flopping again over funds dilemma, litigious clause
The long awaited signing of a trade partnership between East African Community member states and the European Union this month, could flop once again due to a lack of funds to initiate negotiations.
EAC likely to miss November EU trade deadline
The five-nation East African Community will likely miss a November deadline to sign a trade deal with the European Union, the economic bloc’s secretary general said on Thursday.
EALA heeds Mkapa’s call on Epa agreement
Partner states of the East African Community (EAC) should not rush to seal partnership deals with the European Union until sticky issues are sorted out, the East African Legislative Assembly has cautioned.
Kenyan traders shun imports from EAC bloc
Kenyan traders continue to buy most of their products from outside the East Africa region despite the free trade agreement signed with neighbouring countries, new trade figures show.
East Africa EPA delay frustrates EU
The European Union is frustrated at the slow pace of the conclusion of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the East African Community member states according to Harvey Rouse, head of the political and trade section at the EU Mission to Uganda.