The Member States of the East African Community (EAC) have agreed to waive the cost of visas for people who want to travel from one country to another for various activities including commercial, in order to promote relations among the residents of the Community as well as stimulate the growth of business and the country’s economy relevant.
The removal of the cost of visas is part of the ten non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs) removed by the Community, while eight barriers continue to be addressed, and four new barriers have been presented to improve the investment and trade environment between the countries.
The agreement was reached at the 42nd Meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers of Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment of the East African Community (SCTIFI) held at the Community’s Headquarters, in Arusha, where a few obstacles have been removed while others continue to be amended.
The meeting which includes the EAC member countries which are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and DR – Congo, is held in accordance with the EAC Meeting Calendar where for this phase the meeting was led by the Chairman who is the Minister of Commerce , Transport, Industry and Tourism of Burundi, Marie Chantal Nijimbere.
