Tanzania and Uganda have signed several trade agreements including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the removal of non-tariff barriers between the two countries.
The agreements were reached during an official dinner hosted by the Uganda High Commission in Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam on Thursday evening.
This is ahead of the 5th Session of the Uganda-Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission (JPC).
Uganda’s foreign affairs minister, Jeje Odongo told local media that the agreement on the removal of non-tariff barriers will be implemented as of next June and aims to remove trade barriers between the two countries.
He said the two sides had agreed to appoint focal persons for all ministries, departments and agencies in the two countries who will be in charge of coordinating and ensuring full implementation of the agreements.
Odongo lauded the infrastructure development, especially the progress made by Tanzania on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Morogoro to Mwanza, saying the railway will enhance connectivity and reduce transportation costs.
The two neighbours are holding high-level talks in Dar es Salaam to address persistent trade barriers and a widening trade imbalance, after bilateral commerce surged but remained heavily tilted in Tanzania’s favour.
Trade talks took place on Friday during the 5th Session of the Uganda–Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam.
During the talks senior officials from both governments promised to resolve trade bottlenecks and deepen economic cooperation.
MG/as/APA