The East African Community (EAC) Common Market negotiations to guarantee the free movement of goods, services, capital and people by 2010, have resumed in Kisumu, Kenya. The High Level Task Force (HLTF) seventh round talks to end on 6th February, will seek to synchronise institutional reforms, intellectual property rights, and trade in services. Rwanda’s Chief Negotiator, Prudence Sebahizi, said, “The country has been represented by 25 members from the relevant institutions and ministries.” Sebahizi who also doubles as the Executive Secretary of the country’s Regional Integration Committee (RIC) disclosed that the talks started yesterday with a two day workshop on institutional reforms under the guidance of consultants. “This is a horizontal provision to the Common Market where each member state’s consultant will present his or her country’s perception,” he explained. Rwanda is represented by Babajide Sodipo, a Trade Analyst with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sodipo is also part of Rwanda’s negotiating team for the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with EU. Sebahizi said that this followed findings that some community institutions were not appropriate, adding, “There was also a proposal to restructure the EAC Secretariat into a commission.” Ends
