Regional business lobby urges EAC countries to address emerging non-tariff barriers

Stock market capital gains. [Courtesy/GettyImages]

For years, traders within the East African Community (EAC) have grappled with barriers that stifle the seamless movement of goods and people. These traditional hurdles, which range from police roadblocks and lengthy border clearance procedures to protectionist import restrictions on agricultural produce, have long hampered deeper regional integration.

However, as the EAC tries to resolve these legacy issues, a new frontier of complexity has emerged; the rise of professional and digital services. New challenges are emerging, including disjointed regulatory frameworks and inconsistent licensing, restricting trade in services.