Private sector calls for harmonisation of standards in EAC
EAST African Business Council (EABC) has urged EAC member states to fast-track harmonisation of East African Standards to boost intra-regional trade.
The regional private sector body said harmonisation of standards would not only increase intra-trade by 10 per cent, but also reduce inspection and clearance costs at the border from $ 500 to $ 400.
EABC Chief Executive Officer John Bosco Kalisa, urged EAC Partner States to Fast-tracking adoption of the Standardisation, Accreditation and Conformity Assessment (SACA) Bill, facilitating frequent peer reviews, creating awareness and on East African Standards and involve private sector in development of the standards
“We need a demand driven and low cost approach towards standards development in EAC,” he said.
The East African Standards Committee mandate, as provided in the SQMT Act, 2006, to make follow up of recommendations, decisions and issues which were made during the last Ordinary meetings and provide directions to the technical subcommittees for next financial year of 2022/2023 as directed by the EAC Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment.
The EABC-TMEA Regional Public Private Engagement on Standards convened Officials from EAC Secretariat, National Bureau of Standards, Manufacturers Associations, Association of Burundi Industries (AIB), Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI), Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), South Sudan Chambers of Commerce Industries & Agriculture, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), CocaCola, and Watercom (T) Ltd.
EABC is the regional apex body of Private Sector associations and corporates in the East Africa with a single purpose of driving the East African Community integration process through trade and investment.
To achieve this EABC works with the public sector, East African Community (EAC) institutions, the academia, and the business community to unlock economic potential through increased physical access to markets, enhanced trade environment and improved business competitiveness.
