Commissioners for Customs in the East African Community are in Kigali City-Rwanda to map out strategies of facilitating trade in the region.

Effective trade management, social protection and provision of accurate statistical data have been singled out as means to ease trade in the region.

Eugène Torero, Commissioner for Customs in Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) said if implemented, the strategies will make clearing of goods easy.

The commissioners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi have also promised to work closely with the business community and World Customs Organisation (WCO) to have best business practices.

Rwanda has already scored high in this area. A diagnostic study carried out by WCO recently ranked Rwanda best in areas of integrity.

"We consider the progress big and we hope the case of Rwanda can be a role model in other countries,” said Lars Karlsson Director of capacity building in WCO.

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