East Africa Common Market

Source: http://www.google.com/logos/east_african_common_market10-hp.png

East Africa's common market comes into force this month, which aims to allow goods to move freely across the region.

The region's poor roads and lengthy customs procedures have long been seen by businesses as hindering cross-border trade.

From July 1, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will move to do away with all barriers to trade.

However, this will take time and it is likely to take until 2015 before a free trade zone is fully operational.

Last November, the member states of the East African Community (EAC) signed a common market protocol, aimed at expanding the existing customs union.