2008年-世界发展银行全球_Non-Tariff_Measures_on_Goods_Trade_in_the_East_African_Community___Synthesis_Report_118页_8mb

Summary of Non-Tariff Measures on Goods Trade in the East African Community (EAC)

Core Content

This report, titled "Non-Tariff Measures on Goods Trade in the East African Community", is a synthesis of findings from a five-country study conducted by the World Bank at the request of the EAC. It focuses on identifying and analyzing non-tariff measures (NTMs) that hinder intra-EAC trade and outlines priorities for their reduction and elimination.

Main Findings

I. Non-Tariff Measures as the Next Main Area of Action for Strengthening EAC's Trade Integration

• The EAC has been actively working to eliminate tariffs since 2005, aiming to create a free trade area.
• The EAC Protocol Article 13(1) and (2) provides a legal framework for removing NTMs and establishing a mechanism for their identification and monitoring.
• The EAC has made progress in reducing tariffs, but the remaining internal tariff walls are expected to be eliminated by 2010.
• The report emphasizes the need for a prioritization of NTMs and coordinated regional efforts to support their removal.
• Strong financial and technical support is required to enhance institutional capacity at both regional and national levels.

II. Main Characteristics of Intra-EAC Trade

• Food and live animals dominate formal intra-EAC trade, except for Kenya's exports.
• Beverages and tobacco, and inedible crude materials are other significant export categories.
• Kenya's exports to the rest of the EAC show increasing diversification into manufactured goods, while Tanzania and Uganda are also gradually moving in that direction.
• Chemicals, fuels, lubricants, and machinery are other key export groups in Kenya.
• Most EAC members export the same top five commodities to the rest of the EAC as they do to the rest of the world.
• The relatively small internal market size of the EAC suggests that WTO-consistency can be a useful tool for NTM elimination.

III. Current NTMs in the EAC

A. Generic NTMs

• Customs and administrative procedures are the most significant NTMs, including prolonged formalities, multiplicity of institutions, duplication of clearance processes, and limited capacity at border posts.
• Rules of origin are a source of complexity, often requiring verification missions and causing delays.
• Pre-shipment inspections are inefficient, with traders questioning the effectiveness of certain agencies.
• Revenue incentives and unequal treatment based on the country of origin or truck driver nationality are frequent issues.
• Fraudulent behavior is possible due to discrepancies between policy decisions and their implementation at borders.

B. Product-Specific NTMs

• Technical standards and sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures are becoming more relevant in intra-EAC trade.
• Testing, certification, and conformity assessment are key steps in ensuring product compliance, but they are often inconsistent across member states.
• SPS measures are applied by respective ministries of agriculture and veterinary services, leading to a lack of mutual recognition of inspection reports and certificates.
• Driving on the left side in the EAC is a concern for Burundi and Rwanda, as it conflicts with the right-hand driving rules of other EAC members, increasing the risk of accidents and requiring retrofitting of imported vehicles.

IV. What Other Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Are Doing

• RECs generally use a combination of outlawing certain measures and applying the principle of mutual recognition for others.
• The EU and ASEAN demonstrate that the process of reducing NTMs is lengthy, resource-intensive, and requires strong political commitment.
• The EU model of mutual recognition in standards is a valuable lesson for the EAC, facilitating free trade within the region.
• There are few successful examples of NTM reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), highlighting the need for regional cooperation.

Key Recommendations

• Prioritize NTMs based on their impact on trade and implement targeted reduction/removal plans.
• Strengthen institutional capacity at the EAC and national levels to monitor and implement NTM reforms.
• Harmonize standards across EAC members to facilitate trade and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
• Improve transport infrastructure and procedures, especially for the Northern and Central corridors.
• Enhance transparency and efficiency in customs documentation and border clearance.
• Promote mutual recognition of inspection reports and certificates among EAC members.
• Address the issue of driving on the left to ensure consistency and safety across the region.

Conclusion

The EAC faces significant challenges in the form of NTMs that affect the flow of goods within the region. These measures, while often justified by legitimate concerns such as health and safety, contribute to delays, increased costs, and reduced trade efficiency. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of these issues and recommends a structured, prioritized, and politically supported approach to their removal, drawing lessons from the experiences of other RECs like the EU and ASEAN.