The East African Business Council (EABC), an umbrella body of the private sector in East Africa has started collecting views about the proposed changes to the East African Customs Union’s Common External Tariff (CET).

The council wants to come-up with a harmonised position and enabling environment for the businesses to grow. The move comes at a time when governments want taxes altered partly to protect some of their infant industries.

The business community requested for either retaining the CET on specific items or re-categorise products and then set the CET according to the category.

A statement recently issued by Bobi Odoki, the Business Council’s communications officer says areas of concern are the increase in import duty.

The proposed tariffs if passed may see dealers in reinforcement angle bars pay 25 per cent tax from 10 per cent while dealers in finished bicycles may have to pay 25 per cent from 10 per cent of tax.

CET on hides and skins may increase to 25 per cent from 10 per cent. The business community thinks this will encourage usage of local hides.

But the business council wants a corresponding reduction of duty on soap noodles to 10 per cent from 25 per cent. The views collected will enable members present a common and well- articulated position.

These opinions will then be presented during East Afican Business Council meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, before the year ends.

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