Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government has said that it is exploring new market opportunities within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-COMESA member states. Uganda is currently facing a big challenge with key neighbors like South Sudan facing political unrest and the border closure by Rwanda. Some …
Read More »MPs endorse tax on passengers flying out of Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Parliament has adopted a raft of recommendations to revive the economy currently battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, key among is implementation of a Tourism Development Levy. “The Committee proposes a levy of $10 to be charged on each ticket for every person who departs from Uganda …
Read More »Kenya appeals to Uganda to sign EU trade pact
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kenya has again appealed to Uganda for a joint strategy on accessing the European market through the stalled EU/EAC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Kenya also wants to partner with Uganda in negotiating a trade deal with the US as the the AGOA, the American Growth …
Read More »EAC businesses not ready for continental free trade area – Experts
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Business leaders and experts have cast doubt on whether the East African Community will benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, that took effect January 1 this year. The AfCFTA is a trading arrangement supported by 54 African countries to create a single …
Read More »Ugandans demand bodies of truck drivers killed in South Sudan
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Long-distance truck drivers have demanded the release of four bodies of their colleagues killed in South Sudan. Between July and August 2021, four truck drivers one Ugandan and three Kenyans delivering cargo goods to South Sudan’s capital, Juba were shot dead by unknown gunmen …
Read More »Investors urge East Africa to liberalize air transport services to boost trade
Liberalization of air services in the EAC region will increase traffic volumes, improve connectivity and lower air transport fares Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | The East African Business Council (EABC), a regional trade lobby, on Wednesday urged the East African Community (EAC) partner states to liberalize the air transport services …
Read More »Uganda eyes new terms as Kenya – Tanzania ‘economic fight’ rages
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Experts believe Uganda could benefit from the East African Region “economic war” between the two local giants, Kenya and Tanzania. A fight for Uganda’s cargo has emerged in the past two years, with Kampala seeking to take advantage of the war, by tabling new conditions. Apart …
Read More »Fitch and GCR upgrade Afreximbank’s outlook to positive
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Africa’s multi-lateral lender, African Export-Import Bank, has received a set of strong credit rating affirmations and “Positive” outlooks from Moody’s, Fitch Ratings, and GCR Ratings, underlining its resilient financial position and performance. The ratings reinforce the Bank’s access to capital at a competitive cost, ensuring …
Read More »Africa soon to have new trading standard — AfCFTA chief
AfCFTA will facilitate regional trade and investment and boost continental economic integration Luanda, Angola | Xinhua | Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Wamkele Mene said on Monday that Africa will soon have a new trading standard with the development of the organization. Mene made the remarks …
Read More »Covid-19 lockdowns, differences in tax policies complicates trade in EAC bloc
Experts, government suggest ways to easing trade among partner states Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | There is a growing concern amongst the business community that the COVID-19 lockdown measures are a danger to business activities, and if not carefully eased, could make the situation worse going forward. This is …
Read More »