Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) has called for more efforts against Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) in the region.

The call was made by the PSF Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Hategeka during the launch of the Business Climate Index 2008 (BCI) survey at Hotel Novotel on Wednesday.

Hategeka said, "Despite the paramount importance of the findings to the constant improvement of trade within the entire region. There is a lot that needs to be done if  our business climate is to flourish from the private sector.”

"NTBs have proven to be an issue across the region, according to the PSF survey conducted, which also contributed to the compilation of the new BCI report,” he explained.

Other NTBs that the private sector Executive Secretary pointed out included roadblocks and the poor infrastructure.

Officials from the East African Business Council (EABC) revealed that NTBs have been identified as a general concern in all member states.

The Principal Trade Officer from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, Nduati Wa Karanji however said that the EABC is coming up with an innovatory to address the NTBs.

"The innovatory will require the inputs of regional business community members, private sector and other decision makers for updates on the NTBs status,” he explained.  

The call comes at a time when the BCI report aims at tracking the progress on the status of NTBs in the region. The report shows that the business environment in Rwanda has greatly improved in the recent past.

According to the report, the ranking was based on major reforms in the country that include, effective fighting of corruption, creation of a ‘One- Stop-Centre’ for investors, centralization of the tax service, issuing works permits and enforcing contracts.

The survey was carried out from July to September 2008, by the Steadman Group currently known as ‘Synovate.’ The survey also covers 240 business leaders in the export and import businesses, 187 clearing and forwarding agencies and 140 truck drivers from across the region.

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