The East African Community (EAC) and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), yesterday signed an agreement outlining a cooperation framework between the two bodies.

In a statement released by the bloc’s Secretariat, the cooperation covers the areas of Infrastructure Development, Transit Transport, Customs and Trade Facilitation.

The Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration, Dr. Julius Tangus Rotich, signed on behalf of the EAC while CCTTFA Executive Secretary, Rukia D. Shamte, signed for CCTTFA.

According to Rotich, the memo seeks to  enhance development in the Eastern and Central Africa Region.

"The Central Corridor was one of the strategic corridors in the regional integration process, and that with the launching of the Common Market in July 2010, the corridor would open up and strengthen trade and human interaction within the region,” he added.

On her part, Shamte underscored the role of the Corridor in promoting intra-trade among and within the participating partner States.

"The main purpose of establishing the corridor management institutions was to strategically position the Central Corridor as the most efficient in East and Central Africa to avoid the unnecessary delays in the movement of goods in transit through their territories,” she said.

The MoU outlines 12 areas of cooperation among them: joint preparation and execution of studies, projects and programmes; promotion and development of projects and programmes, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and transit transport.

Other areas are harmonisation of transport policies and regulations, including the adoption of harmonised road design and construction standards, as well as harmonised axle-load limits and transit charges.

Also included in the MoU are ensuring the implementation of international conventions on transport, customs and trade facilitation.

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