East Africa common market moves one step closer

AS THE next stage in achieving regional political integration, the five East African Community (EAC) member countries – Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi – will start direct negotiations on the establishment of a common market later this month. The negotiations are expected to be finalised by the end of next year – with the common market protocol scheduled for ratification in June, 2009 and the official launch of the market set for January, 2010.