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.