Exporters to Continue Accessing EU Market Despite EAC Pact Delays

Exporters have been assured of EU market access despite delays in the signing and ratifying of the 16-year-old Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by some East African Community (EAC) countries.

Adan Mohamed, the EAC Cabinet secretary, expressed his fears claiming that the delay in signing the agreement and sanctioning the trade protocol is bound to affect exporters of local produce, especially those dealing with fresh items.

According to Mohamed, Kenya has already signed and ratified the EU-EAC-EPA, something which has led to uninterrupted market access in the EU.

“Some EAC member states have sought for clarifications on certain clauses and that engagement is expected to be concluded in the next four months,” he said.

“We want to assure our private sector players that our market access to the EU will not be affected by the short extension of time sought by some member states for further clarifications with EU and internal consultations,” Mohamed added.

Kenya is focused and dedicated to building a shared custom with other East African countries. However, most of those categorized as the least developed countries continue to hold back against signing the partnership agreement with the European Union (EU).

The agreement needs approval from all the members of the EAC bloc including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi. Without their approval, the pact won’t take effect. Kenya signed and ratified the deal, the same as Rwanda, which signed in 2016.

During a summit held in Arusha, Tanzania, last week, heads of state arrived at a conclusion that countries can sign separate trade agreements with the EU individually if a partnership agreement is not reached in the next four months.

The decision was arrived at following the reception and the adoption of a progress report on the EU-EAC EPA from Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni.

Under the new chair, Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, the EA bloc will initiate talks with EU on the matter in the next four months for more clarification on pertinent issues.

“Thereafter, partner states who wish to, may or may not sign the EPA,” a joint communique issued after the meeting says.

Meanwhile, Kenya will continue accessing the EU market as is stipulated by the EU Market Regulations of 2007 until otherwise.  The rest of the EAC countries will also continue accessing the market under the duty and quota-free market.