Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in East Africa: A profile

Ayoki, Milton (2008): Non-Tariff Trade Barriers in East Africa: A profile. Published in:

Abstract

This paper documents the typology, forms, and scope of non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs) in East Africa (EAC). It finds evidence that reveal inefficiencies and delays at port and customs, transport delays, multiple transit fees, restricted axle load limits and too many weigh bridges and police road blocks, import and export inspection and certification procedures, arbitrary use of rules of origin and arbitrary interpretation of standards and SPS requirements, and infrastructure constraints as major obstacles to the flow of trade in East African community. They elevate the cost of trading across borders, and severely impair export competitiveness especially of the landlocked EAC members.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Non tariff barriers, Trade Policies, intra-EAC trade, EAC trade corridors, East Africa Community.
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D7 - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making > D78 - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F10 - General; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F13 - Trade Policy ; International Trade Organizations; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F14 - Empirical Studies of Trade; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F15 - Economic Integration

References

Ayoki, M; M. Obwona. 2005. Illicit Trade in East Africa: What Do we Really Know?, IPRA Working Paper 8 (MPRA Paper 80128, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2009).

Abegaz, M. 2008. “Mobilising Aid for Trade for SPS-Related Technical Cooperation in East Africa: SPS Balance Sheet for Uganda”, unpublished report presented at (WTO, World Bank, FAO, WHO) – workshop on mobilizing aid for trade, Kampala, May 28-29, 2008.

Ayoki, M. 2007. “Strengthening South – South Cooperation Amongst East African Community Member States”, report prepared for United Nations Development Programme.

East Africa Business Council (EABC). 2007. East African Community 2006/07 Business Climate Index Survey, Arusha, Tanzania.

EAC. 1999. Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union, East African Community Secretariat, Arusha.

East African Transportation Initiative (EATI). 1999. “Enhancing Transport Policy Harmonization in Eastern and Southern Africa Through Dialogue”, Quarterly Newsletter, Third Issue November, 1999.

Hammels, D. 2001. “Time as a Trade Barrier”, Global Trade Analysis Project Working Paper Number 18, Purdue University.

Pearson, M. 2006. “Enhancing African Regional Integration: Trade Policy and Trade Facilitation”, presentation to the World Bank Course on Regional Integration in Africa and Economic Partnership Agreements, Nairobi, Kenya, 22-24 May 2006.

Raman, V. 2006. “Transport and Trade Facilitation in Uganda,” background paper for the Uganda Diagnostic Trade Integration Study, the World Bank, Washington, D.C.

The Republic of Uganda (GoU). 2008. Background to the Budget 2008/09, Achieving Property for all Through Infrastructure Development, Enhancing Employment and Economic Growth, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Kampala, June 2008.

WTO. 2005. Doha Declarations, World Trade Organisation, Geneva.

World Bank. 2007. “Option for Strengthening East African Community’s Trade Integration”, unpublished report No. 40978–AFR.