The East African Community (EAC) is today positioned to overcome many of the challenges that confront it and decisively move to a higher stage of integration.

Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said this Tuesday while delivering the State of EAC Address at the commencement of the ongoing session of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Addressing the Assembly on behalf of the EAC Chair, Tanzanian President John Magufuli, Majaliwa said the Community needs to be "bold and resolute in our commitment and in our resolve.”

"Let me state that the EAC should maintain constant orientation as a decisive organisation with clear, results focused appreciation of the mission in practical, measurable and demonstrable interventions,” he said.

"In our pursuit of the regional programme, we must leave no doubt as to our seriousness of purpose and commitment to protect our sovereignty and promote peace, security, stability and development in the East African region. Our singular resolve must be to ensure the sustainability of our enlarged Community.”

Corruption and unethical business practices, Majaliwa said, are the major hindrance to economic growth within the Community. Corruption and bureaucracy are seen as the key factors that hinder movement of goods between EAC countries.

"I am happy to report that the private sector in the region has developed a code of conduct for business together with its rules and procedures as an initiative aimed at enhancing ethical business practices in the areas of human rights, labour standards, environment, and corruption,” Majaliwa said.

According to the African Union, Africa loses $150 billion due to corruption annually.

Regarding the State of the EAC Common Market, Majaliwa said its implementation is at the heart of the EAC’s integration agenda and, as such, there is need to fast-track its implementation.

The EAC Common Market Protocol, which spells out free movement of people, capital and services within the region, was signed in 2009 and came into force in 2010.

However, Majaliwa noted that while implementing the protocol, all partner states are facing "a few common challenges” that include the issuance of electronic certificate of origin, which has not been adopted regionally.

He said the slow pace of streamlining of national laws in the EAC context has also hampered the implementation of the protocol commitments. editorial@newtimes.co.rw