Monday, August 30, 2010
What next
East African Countries have committed to cooperate and coordinate. This has been in many areas including financial sector policy, harmonization of tax policies and laws, transport policy, environmental management, statistics, research and technological development, intellectual property rights, industrial development and agriculture and food security. These are areas of ongoing work and will be taken forward at the regional level by the EAC states.
No work permit needed.
The common market protocol provides for work permits to still be a requirement for working in another partner state. This does not mean that every EAC does require a work permit, it only means that countries are allowed to maintain a work permit scheme if they wish to. It is up to each individual that wishes to cross the border to find out if a work permit is required and to produce the documentation required to obtain one.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their passports or national identification documentation at the point entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. For Jobs that will lat than 90 days, workers will need a special pass and for jobs lasting longer than 90 days, a work permit, special passes and work permits require different supporting documentation. Spouses and children may be allowed to travel with the worker if they apply as well.
Although workers permits are still in place, the protocol does make it easier to know how much time and effort is required to acquire one: the timeframe for obtaining a work permit is now limited to 30 days across the region, and applicants are entitled to know why in writing and to challenge this decision. EAC countries have also agreed to harmonize the fees for work permits, and this is part of the ongoing negotiating process.
The protocol also contains a very important principle which is that once a country has made its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures less strict towards other EAC citizens, it can’t o back on this decision. So it a country removes work permits, this decision can not be reversed and they can’ be re instituted in the future.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their passports or national identification documentation at the point entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. For Jobs that will lat than 90 days, workers will need a special pass and for jobs lasting longer than 90 days, a work permit, special passes and work permits require different supporting documentation. Spouses and children may be allowed to travel with the worker if they apply as well.
Although workers permits are still in place, the protocol does make it easier to know how much time and effort is required to acquire one: the timeframe for obtaining a work permit is now limited to 30 days across the region, and applicants are entitled to know why in writing and to challenge this decision. EAC countries have also agreed to harmonize the fees for work permits, and this is part of the ongoing negotiating process.
The protocol also contains a very important principle which is that once a country has made its legislation, regulations and administrative procedures less strict towards other EAC citizens, it can’t o back on this decision. So it a country removes work permits, this decision can not be reversed and they can’ be re instituted in the future.
Free movement for workers.
Not all types off workers will be able to move. The movement of workers is governed by Annex II of the protocol which lists the different types of occupations that are eligible to move into different counties. The lists of workers are long and are different for each country, so workers will need to find out either by looking at the relevant section of the protocol or by contacting Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA) for this information to establish whether they are eligible to move.
The extension of the protocol to all workers has been agreed by partner states and will be negotiated over the implementation period, taking into account the needs and concerns of all partner states.
The extension of the protocol to all workers has been agreed by partner states and will be negotiated over the implementation period, taking into account the needs and concerns of all partner states.
Kenyans benefiting from the common market.
Kenyans are going to benefit disproportionately form the common market. Concerns are often raised about Kenyans worker and business entering Ugandans and take over the jobs and establishing business that will drive Ugandans out. For Uganda, we should be concentrating on identifying where the opportunities are for o benefit form the common market. Perhaps Uganda is a good market for the Kenyans, but Rwanda and Burundi, are excellent markets for Uganda. Uganda s should looking at opportunities to compete with Kenyans in Kenya, but also to provide services and skills in markets that need new entrants.
The common market is about identifying where Ugandans have a comparative advantage. Uganda has identified agriculture, Tourism and education as some of the areas where we have advantage in the region. In addition, we have some of the best professionals in the region. Lawyers, architects. Engineers, doctors should not be afraid of competition, we should see this as an opportunity to sell our impressive skills n our partner states.
The common market is about identifying where Ugandans have a comparative advantage. Uganda has identified agriculture, Tourism and education as some of the areas where we have advantage in the region. In addition, we have some of the best professionals in the region. Lawyers, architects. Engineers, doctors should not be afraid of competition, we should see this as an opportunity to sell our impressive skills n our partner states.
Misconceptions about the EAC common market
The common market is a good idea but has been rushed into. This is what many business men lament about. Regional integration is a process and not a destination. The launch of the common market marks the beginning of a gradual process of implementation of the common market protocol, which will in the future, develop into a fully fledged common market that fully allows for free movement of goods, labor, services and capital.
The common market protocol, the agreement which details what EAC countries have agreed to do to implement the common market, specifically calls for implementation of the provisions of the protocol to be progressive. This is to ensure that the common market is put in place at a pace that is appropriate for Uganda and all the other EAC states.
We should prepare ourselves for the changes that will take place over the next few years, but we should not be afraid that changes will happen overnight or without the care and attention that is necessary.
The common market protocol, the agreement which details what EAC countries have agreed to do to implement the common market, specifically calls for implementation of the provisions of the protocol to be progressive. This is to ensure that the common market is put in place at a pace that is appropriate for Uganda and all the other EAC states.
We should prepare ourselves for the changes that will take place over the next few years, but we should not be afraid that changes will happen overnight or without the care and attention that is necessary.
ASTONISHING NEWS FOR FOREIGNERS
Foreigners will acquire land in Uganda under the common market.The question of how land will be addressed under the common market is key one with fears expressed that Ugandans will lose out with land being bought by people coming from other partner states come the end of this year. Hey folks, this is not true. Land is key factor of production and as such land control and ownership is a critical issues under the common market. Ugandans should however note that under the common market protocol, access to land use of land will be governed by the national politics and laws of the partner states. The government of Uganda through consultation with the public is developing a national land policy and reviewing the land laws. The ministry of east African community affairs has communicated some of the concerns raised by the public through the national land policy consultation process. It is these policies once developed that will govern how Ugandans and those seeking to acquire and use land be they from the EAC region or foreigners in Uganda.
A BRIGHT FUTURE A HEAD
People will no longer need a work permit to work in other East African Common countries. The common market will provide for work permits as a requirement for working in another partner state. This does not mean that every EAC country does require a work permit, it only means that countries are allowed to maintain a work permit scheme it they wish to. It is up to each individual that wishes to cross the border to find out if a work permit is required and to produce the documents required to obtain one.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their national passports or national identification documents at the point of entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. Hey good news for family heads; you and your children may be allowed to travel if you apply on time.
Workers will enter partner states by presenting their national passports or national identification documents at the point of entry, declaring the usual information and providing a contract of employment. Hey good news for family heads; you and your children may be allowed to travel if you apply on time.
GUESS WHAT FOLKS, YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EAC RIGHT NOW
Its got to be known that since the day the EAC walls of mass business ventures were open, nothing much has been done. All we need is a demonstration, demonstration, demonstration and a demonstration, why? When you take a journey to the so called walls of Jericho (Malaba and Busia border) smuggling is the order of the day, not free market as it sounds. Any way this should not deter you from getting forward with your business across the borders. There was good news i over heard on the radio topping the waves of the country. Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA) is now implementing a communications strategy which aims to reach out to all sectors of society and provide them with information about the common market and regional integration in general since people around the borders are already complaining.
Part of this communication strategy is engaging the public through the media, including television, radio and the newspapers, and engaging people at the local level through sensitization workshops, for example, Ministry staff have conducted sensitization sessions in the border regions, including Busia,Cyanika, Masaka, Katuna as well as in the coming months. we also encourage people to go the MEACA website for further information on regional integrations, or contact the Ministry for more detailed responses. So folks if you were worried like i was, not anymore should you be worried because MEACA will work to ensure that relevant information is available to enhance awareness and enable Ugandans take key decisions in the integration process. However, all EAC citizens too have to responsibility to find out how they can benefit from the common market. Together we can ensure that Uganda benefits from the common market.
Part of this communication strategy is engaging the public through the media, including television, radio and the newspapers, and engaging people at the local level through sensitization workshops, for example, Ministry staff have conducted sensitization sessions in the border regions, including Busia,Cyanika, Masaka, Katuna as well as in the coming months. we also encourage people to go the MEACA website for further information on regional integrations, or contact the Ministry for more detailed responses. So folks if you were worried like i was, not anymore should you be worried because MEACA will work to ensure that relevant information is available to enhance awareness and enable Ugandans take key decisions in the integration process. However, all EAC citizens too have to responsibility to find out how they can benefit from the common market. Together we can ensure that Uganda benefits from the common market.
Monday, August 2, 2010
EAC MARKET TO CREATE 500,000 JOBS
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
GOOD NEWS
It is projected that each of the five member states will create 500,000 jobs, or 2.5 million every year, according to Gaggawala. "Traders will no longer have to suffer moving their products across the countries as some of the restrictions will be relaxed," Gaggawala said.
The cost of doing business will reduce, following the development of efficient communication infrastructure through high-speed internet connectivity across the region, he said. The community plans to have a common energy network, through which member countries will share electricity supply.
The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on tourism, trade and industry, John Bosco Lubayayi, said the common market will provide enormous opportunities. "East Africans will be able to freely visit or cross into other East African Countries for social, academic and business related purposes," Lubayayi said.
Consumers, according to lubyayi, would get access to a variety of cheaper and better quality products and services, thanks to the competitive environment.
Pade Brian
GOOD NEWS
It is projected that each of the five member states will create 500,000 jobs, or 2.5 million every year, according to Gaggawala. "Traders will no longer have to suffer moving their products across the countries as some of the restrictions will be relaxed," Gaggawala said.
The cost of doing business will reduce, following the development of efficient communication infrastructure through high-speed internet connectivity across the region, he said. The community plans to have a common energy network, through which member countries will share electricity supply.
The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on tourism, trade and industry, John Bosco Lubayayi, said the common market will provide enormous opportunities. "East Africans will be able to freely visit or cross into other East African Countries for social, academic and business related purposes," Lubayayi said.
Consumers, according to lubyayi, would get access to a variety of cheaper and better quality products and services, thanks to the competitive environment.
Pade Brian
THE EAST AFRICA COMMON MARKET, ARE YOU READY FOR IT?
WHY DO WE WANT A COMMON MARKET?
The underlying principle of why a common market is beneficial is that it allows countries within the region to specialise in those goods and services which they produce most efficiently. It also creates a larger market for Foreign Direct Investment and it allows for efficiency and economies of scale through increased production.
Ask yourself this question, do i have the right entrepreneurship skills, leadership skills, products, or PR skills?
A Ugandan that sees there is a market for his skills or business as i do with IMPACT YOUR WORLD AFRICA, in another country within EAC common market can move or supply services there because there are no barriers to your goals, working, supplying a service or establishing a business in another EAC partner state. People are free to chase the highest wage and those goods, services, and labour that it produces more efficiently than its neighbours.
To give an example, without a Common Market engineers, doctors, teachers, or social and development workers from Kenya do not come to work in Uganda because it takes too long and cost too much to get a work permit. This means that Uganda either has to supply its own engineers or would employ someone from out of the region that can afford the time and money to get a work permit, but also charges higher fees because of this. When the Common Market is in place, engineers from Kenya will find it easier to access the Ugandan labour market, consumers will benefit from lower fees and Uganda can concentrate on training other professions, for example, lawyers, which it can then export to the rest of the EAC. This benefits both individuals and the economy as a whole.
So members what are your plans now, do you have any?. For more information, watch this space.
Pade Brian
The underlying principle of why a common market is beneficial is that it allows countries within the region to specialise in those goods and services which they produce most efficiently. It also creates a larger market for Foreign Direct Investment and it allows for efficiency and economies of scale through increased production.
Ask yourself this question, do i have the right entrepreneurship skills, leadership skills, products, or PR skills?
A Ugandan that sees there is a market for his skills or business as i do with IMPACT YOUR WORLD AFRICA, in another country within EAC common market can move or supply services there because there are no barriers to your goals, working, supplying a service or establishing a business in another EAC partner state. People are free to chase the highest wage and those goods, services, and labour that it produces more efficiently than its neighbours.
To give an example, without a Common Market engineers, doctors, teachers, or social and development workers from Kenya do not come to work in Uganda because it takes too long and cost too much to get a work permit. This means that Uganda either has to supply its own engineers or would employ someone from out of the region that can afford the time and money to get a work permit, but also charges higher fees because of this. When the Common Market is in place, engineers from Kenya will find it easier to access the Ugandan labour market, consumers will benefit from lower fees and Uganda can concentrate on training other professions, for example, lawyers, which it can then export to the rest of the EAC. This benefits both individuals and the economy as a whole.
So members what are your plans now, do you have any?. For more information, watch this space.
Pade Brian
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