Tanzania to join EAC One Network Area soon

Posted in Press Release

The United Republic of Tanzania will soon join the EAC One Network Area, which harmonises tariffs on voice calls within the East African Community.

The Director-General of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Dr Ally Yahaya Simba, said the harmonisation of mobile call tariffs which will significantly reduce roaming charges for calls originating from other EAC Partner States would come into effect as soon as the existing telecommunications policies and regulations have been revised.

Dr Simba disclosed that first to be harmonised would be roaming charges on voice calls, with data charges to follow later. The EAC Heads of State Summit at their last meeting directed the Council of Ministers to expedite the implementation of the framework for harmonised EAC roaming charges, including the removal of surcharges for international telecommunications traffic originating and terminating within the EAC by 15th July 2015.

Dr Simba was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary-General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha. The TCRA CEO, who was on a familiarisation tour of the EAC Secretariat, was accompanied by TCRA’s Deputy Director (Zonal Coordination), Mr Victor Nkya; Deputy Director (Postal Affairs), Mr Haruni Lemanya; Northern Zone Manager, Eng. Annette Matindi; and, Mr Julius Felix, Senior Frequency Management Scientist.

In his remarks, Amb. Dr Sezibera said the EAC One Area Network which has already been implemented by Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda would greatly enhance business within the Community.

Dr Sezibera said the Community had prioritised four main areas where progress must be made to drive the EAC integration process forward, namely Communications (harmonisation of roaming charges); civil aviation (high air travel fares); One-Stop Border Posts (transit charges); and, the need to actively engage the private sector in the integration process.

The Secretary-General said the EAC was currently negotiating with the Republic of South Sudan on the possibility of integrating the region’s broadband networks with the world’s youngest nation as a way of reducing voice and data roaming charges.

Dr Sezibera disclosed that postal numbering systems in the region would be harmonised so that people can be identified with their locations or residences.

He hailed the EAC Electronic Transactions (e-Transactions) Bill which is currently before the East African Legislative Assembly, adding that the Bill would provide a legal framework to govern online transactions which is a fast growing sector in the region.

Also present at the function was Mr Philip Wambugu, the Director of Infrastructure at the EAC Secretariat.

India-EAC relations to be strengthened

Posted in Press Release

Relations between India and the East African Community are set to be revitalised especially in the areas of trade, cultural exchange and development co-operation.

India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania and Representative to the EAC, Mr Sandeep Arya, said his country was keen on strengthening trade and cultural ties with the EAC, which date back several centuries.

Mr Arya said India already had bilateral projects in most of the EAC Partner States particularly health and agriculture, adding that they wanted to partner with the EAC to boost trade volumes and promoting industrial growth in East Africa.

Mr Arya said he would work closely with the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Indian Exim Bank in these initiatives, noting that these partnerships should for a start be between these two institutions and the East African Development Bank and the East African Business Council.

Mr Arya was speaking after presenting his credentials to the EAC Secretary-General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera, at the EAC Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania. Dr Sezibera thanked India for its support to the Partner States singling out the scholarships granted to students from the Partner States to study in India.

Dr Sezibera also cited the support granted to the Community by India in the preparation of the East African Railways Master Plan, the implementation of which he said would revolutionise the transport sector in the region.

He disclosed that that one of the challenges faced by the EAC in relation to the free movement of goods across the region was the porous borders with non-EAC neighbours, adding that this issue was being addressed.

The Secretary-General said there would be common Rules of Origin for goods within the EAC-COMESA-SADC Free Trade Area which is expected to become operational soon. He added that the EAC was also co-operating with COMESA and SADC on infrastructure development.

Dr Sezibera said the constitution making process for a Political Federation, the ultimate stage of the EAC integration process, would begin this year.

Later in the day, the Danish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and Representative to the EAC, H.E. Einar Jensen also presented his letter of accreditation to the EAC Secretary-General, designating him as his country’s representative to the EAC.

In his remarks, the Danish Ambassador hailed EAC for the remarkable achievements so far recorded in the establishment of the Customs Union Protocol, Common Market Protocol and Monetary Union Protocol. “Denmark has chosen to formalise its relations with the East African Community in recognition of the aspirations and ambitions of the EAC”, noted Amb. Jensen.

The EAC Secretary-General, Amb. Sezibera, noted that the accreditation sets a new stage in the relationship between Denmark and the EAC. He lauded the long-standing ties between the EAC Partner States and Denmark, and reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to strengthen the relationship.

Also present at the function was the Counsel to the Community, Dr Anthony Kafumbe.