EABC and AGRA to promote regional trade with new partnership

The East African Business Forum (EABC), in partnership with AGRA, has launched a new initiative called “Serving the East African Community in Agricultural Products Trade by Addressing Non-Taxable Businesses (NTBs)”.

The goal aims to increase trade in agricultural products, particularly maize, rice, pulses, soybeans and horticultural products, through the main trade routes in East Africa, and to support women and entrepreneurs.

The three-year project will support approximately 2,440 youth and women engaged in cross-border trade in the region by reducing the cost and time of agricultural trade through solutions to non-tax issues.

Also, it will provide young agribusiness entrepreneurs with the knowledge to use basic business tools such as the Simplified Trade System (STR) and business portals.

The collaboration was supported by a $399,900 grant from AGRA, as well as funding from the Mastercard Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The program will be implemented under the leadership of EABC in collaboration with the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).

The programme will promote public and private dialogue on cross-border trade to identify and address emerging trade and non-tariff barriers in the agricultural sector. An annual assessment will be conducted to establish the EAC NTB Index (NTBI) to monitor progress.

This partnership between AGRA and EABC will promote food security, expand employment opportunities for youth and women, and increase the incomes of farmers in selected East African countries.

The programme aims to increase awareness of cross-border trade organisations and women and youth-led agricultural traders on advertising and advocacy for the elimination of non-taxable issues, as well as capital formation and commercial information through the media.

The Government will play a key role in this project by participating in public and private discussions and adopting reforms based on the findings and the East African Community Index of Non-Tariff Barriers to Agricultural Trade.

These efforts are important in improving the business environment for youth and women doing business across borders. They could also facilitate the smooth take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.