EAC Workshop in Kampala Advances DRC Integration into Customs Union

Summary:

• The ongoing EAC capacity building workshop in Kampala aims to integrate the DRC into the EAC Customs Union. Facilitated by Trade Mark Africa and funded by USAID-ERRA, it educates DRC officials on EAC regional integration and Customs Union protocols. The workshop emphasizes One Stop Border Post frameworks and procedures.

The ongoing East African Community (EAC) capacity building workshop in Kampala, Uganda aims to integrate the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the EAC Customs Union. Facilitated by Trade Mark Africa and funded by the USAID-ERRA program, the five-day workshop, running from March 18th to 22nd, 2024, is attended by Senior Officials from various ministries and administrations including Trade, EAC Affairs, Agriculture, Standards, Immigration, and Customs.

The workshop’s primary goal is to educate DRC officials on EAC regional integration, the Customs Union Protocol, and the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) legal framework and procedures. Preceding this, 32 DRC border officials received training at the Mahagi/Goli OSBP between DRC and Uganda.

During the workshop’s opening session, Mr. Evaristae Munyampundu of the EAC Secretariat emphasized the significance of regional integration, trade facilitation, and the role of OSBPs in fostering cultural ties among Partner States and boosting intra-EAC trade. He encouraged participants to acquaint themselves with various EAC instruments and ensure their implementation for the benefit of traders and citizens.

On March 22nd, 2024, workshop participants will visit the Mutukula/Mutukula OSBP on the Uganda-Tanzania border to observe its operations.

busiinge@abjinemedia.africa