Business Council wants a list of commonly traded goods between Burundi and Tanzania to be compiled
EABC wants thee Governments of Burundi and Tanzania to publish the list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime and establish a dedicated trade information desk for small-scale traders at the Kobero–Kabanga One Stop Border Post.
Black News 
The East African Business Council is calling for the publication of a list of commonly traded goods across the region.
The EABC in collaboration with the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce (TNCC) and in partnership with AGRA, successfully sensitized over 65 women and youth cross-border traders engaged in cereals and horticultural products on the EAC Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
Speaking during the Public-Private Dialogue on Non-Tariff Barriers, the EABC Trade and Policy Advisor, Adrian Raphael Njau, said the awareness of trade procedures limits the ability of women and youth traders to take advantage of opportunities under the EAC Common Market.
He urged the Governments of Burundi and Tanzania to publish the list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime and establish a dedicated trade information desk for small-scale traders at the Kobero–Kabanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania, Phinehas Ruhiye commended EABC and AGRA for their capacity-building initiatives targeting women and youth cross-border traders, as well as their advocacy for the elimination of NTBs.
On his part, Alexis Nyongera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting small-scale cross-border traders in taking advantage of opportunities under the EAC Common Market.
Cross-border traders also appealed for easier access to the EAC Certificate of Origin without the need to use clearing agents.
With support from AGRA, EABC will donate a Trade Information Booth at the Kobero–Kabanga OSBP, equipped with simplified self-learning videos on step-by-step procedures for trading cereals and horticultural products.
Debora Jema, a young cross-border trader from Kabanga, and Ms. Ms. Amida Uwingabire, representing the Association of Women and Girls of Kabanga, elaborated on their marketing plans and financial management practices in trading cereals and horticultural products following the capacity building workshop.
Ms. Dotto Mushaija from the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) appealed for training on value addition for agricultural products. Other recommendations included the installation of gender-sensitive border facilities such as sheds and baby-changing rooms, as well as improved access to affordable finance for women traders.
As part of the initiative, EABC also conducted capacity-building sessions focusing on promoting gender-sensitive practices by equipping border officials and cross-border traders with knowledge on inclusive trade facilitation and supporting women traders against harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
It also focused on enhancing financial literacy to enable traders to effectively manage finances and access credit, strengthening business management skills within cross-border traders’ cooperatives and associations to improve governance, accountability, and market access.
Conducting a “Business Capital Award” competition, where 10 young women cross-border traders dealing in cereals and horticultural products at the Kobero and Kabanga OSBPs were awarded USD 200 each.
Presenting Recognition Awards of USD 500 each to the Kabanga Women Cross-Border Traders Platform (Tanzania) and the Association for Women and Girls – Kobero (Burundi) to support business formalization and facilitate access to microloans for young women cross-border traders.
About East African Business Council: The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 8 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community.
