This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
Kenya and Tanzania have agreed to resolve trade barriers affecting their bilateral relations by December this year.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) in Nairobi, which ended on Tuesday.
The JCC, a bilateral organ created to resolve issues affecting all areas of cooperation between the two countries, has set a deadline of December to remove non-tariff barriers that have consistently affected trade.
According to a joint dispatch from the meeting, the JCC took note of the progress made by the Joint Trade Committee in addressing 30 out of 64 challenges facing bilateral relations and urged the resolution of the remaining 34 issues before the end of December 2021.
The Joint Trade Committee, co-chaired by trade ministers from both countries, Kenya's Betty Maina and Tanzania's Kitila Mkumbo, identified 60 tariff and non-tariff barriers between the two countries in June, following a visit by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu to Kenya.
Among the 30 resolved issues include clearing of soft drinks made in their territories, removal of inspection fees on processed products with a standardisation mark, and Tanzania's entry into the Common Network Area to eliminate roaming fees on received calls.
By last week, officials said there will also be preferential treatment on cement made in their territories, Tanzania will install the Single Window System as Kenya did, to enable faster clearance of goods and harmonise standardisation, and that veterinary products will be valid for export up to 30 days.
The two countries have also established a joint mechanism for dealing with Covid-19, including on testing and recognition of lab results as well as vaccination.
“I am also glad that Minister and Cabinet Secretary of Health met here in Kenya and agreed on modalities of handling the Covid-19 test as directed by our Principals,” Ms Mulamula said in a speech.
