Senior officials from Southern African Customs Union (SACU) together with their counterpart EAC concluded a two-day meeting aimed at benchmarking similar activities, learn the best practices and share ideas at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha ,Tanzania.

The 27-28 March benchmark visit of the South African Custom Union team to the EAC secretariat aimed at sharing ideas and  learn best practice on areas such  Competition Policy, Trade in Services, Agriculture Policy, Revenue Mobilization and Industrial Policy.

The Visit of SACU saw the Senior Officers from the EAC Secretariat made exhaustive presentations and provided clarifications where necessary. The East African Business Council also had a chance to make a presentation on their strategic plan particularly on  issues such as Institutional strengthening, Policy and Advocacy, Value adding services and Membership development, Increased Visibility and Partnerships creation and maintenance.

Speaking during the opening of the meeting the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva appreciated  the trust that SACU has on EAC and proud that they chose to benchmark with the EAC.

Mr. Nsengiyumva reiterated that for the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to be strong they ought to share best practices which will lead to development of not only the RECs but Africa at large.

Mrs. Moureen Matomola Deputy Director Policy Development and Research SACU and leader of SACU’s delegation to the EAC, commended the EAC for accepting SACU’s request to come and learn the best practices and share ideas which will lead to collaboration and strengthen the relationship between SACU and EAC.

She appreciated the information they got from the EAC at a time when they are in the process of transforming their organization into an Economic Community. Mrs Matomola  also  applauded the efforts undertaken by EAC in the EAC-COMESA-SADC tripartite in easing trade relations in the regions.

The visit is the continuation of the relationship between SACU and the EAC.

Background

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU), an African regional economic organization, is the world’s oldest customs union, founded in 1910. Its members include Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland.

The five member states maintain a common external tariff, share customs revenues, and coordinate policies and decision-making on a wide range of trade issues.