The former speaker of the Ugandan parliament and current first Deputy Prime Minister also doubling as the Minister for Ministry of East African Community Affairs Uganda has outlined some of the benefits of an integrated East African Community (E.A.C).
while giving her key not address yesterday at Makerere University in Kampala, the Honorable Minister outlined the importance of the E.A.C integration saying that its only though unity that the region will reach its potential.
“…as members of the Council of Ministers, through deliberate regional efforts, we push for cooperation in developing regional capabilities in industrialization, standards, infrastructure and accessible markets”. she said.
“In this effort, we deal with the obstacles that have slowed down our integration agenda especially Non-Tarif Barriers (NTBs). Once the Non-Tarif Barriers (NTBs) are reduced or completely removed from our Partner States, then this regional
Market with an estimated 300 million people will see experience a post trend in Regional trade and thus spur prosperity for our people”. she explained .
Kadaga pointed out, among other things, tightening of the security in the region, enhancement of fraternal relations of the people of East Africa, and Political Unity as some of the advantages regarding the unity.
“Intra-EAC trade improved from US$ 2.7 billion in 2016 to US$ 2.9 billion in 2017. Intra-trade will further be enhanced by building region value-chain through alignment of investments in the targeted sectors such as textile, leather and pharmaceuticals”. she said.
The growing E.A.C which is now a seven member stong community, with the Decocratic Republic of Congo having joined recently in 2022, has improved Intra-EAC trade from US$ 2.7 billion in 2016 to US$ 2.9 billion in 2017.
“Intra-trade will further be enhanced by building region value-chain through alignment of investments in the targeted sectors such as textile, leather and
pharmaceuticals” she noted.
