Officials sensitise local leaders on common market

RWAMAGANA – Officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and Ministry of East African Community have urged the local business community to improve on the quality of their products, and service delivery in order to compete favourably in the East African Community. The officials were on Monday meeting local leaders in Rwamagana district to discuss the benefits accruing from the East African Common Market protocol. Emmanuel Gahutu, of the RRA stressed the importance of the EA common market to the country. “The over all intention of the EA Common Market is to eliminate or reduce trade barriers among its members. This is what each individual state needs in order to improve its member’s general well being,” he said. “This situation however, creates competition and Rwandans should be able to improve in areas of where they have experienced challenges such as within service delivery.” Gaudence Mukarurenzi, from the Ministry of Commerce, reiterated the importance of the Common Market in the region. She said that it is vital to note that under the Common Market, borders between member states will be opened to allow free flow of goods, services, capital and labour. Nehemiah Uwimana, the Rwamagana district Mayor, who spoke on behalf other local leaders, explained that the Common Market may initially be a challenge, but will ultimately benefit regional citizens. Participants however, expressed fears that the Common Market could affect the country’s infant industries. Ends