TZ Responds to Uganda's Call for Trade Talks

Tanzania ignored Uganda's multiple requests to hold a bilateral meeting to address trade concerns.

In September, Uganda had argued against Tanzania to reverse its trade relations on a number of issues that had had a negative impact on trade between the two countries.

However, Daily Monitor has now learned that Tanzania has not since responded to Uganda's many requests for a bilateral meeting.

Emmanuel Atwine, a senior trade official at the Ministry of Commerce, revealed on Thursday that Tanzania had not yet reacted despite several attempts by Uganda.
"They did not answer," he said during a phone interview.

"Efforts have also been made via the Ugandan Embbady in Tanzania, but all have been in vain," said Atwine.

Ms. Hadija Nakakande, public relations officer of the Ministry of Commerce, confirmed in September that she had asked to meet with Tanzania to discuss issues related to Uganda's exports.

Bilateral discussions would have allowed both countries to raise their concerns.

Among the key issues, she said, would include solving the problem of road user charges, which force Ugandan exporters to pay for the use of roads in Tanzania and to test again. products already certified by the National Bureau of Ugandan Standards.

The free movement of people and the pricing of business visas for Ugandan traders have also been a concern.

Ugandan customs clearance agents and freight forwarders also worry that they have been denied the opportunity to open sales outlets in Tanzania.

Nakakande said the Ministry of Commerce would also seek to address the recurring problem that countries have brandished a red flag when re-exporting goods imported from other countries.

Tanzania had previously announced that it was hitting Ugandan sugar with a 25% import duty, in contrast to the East African Common Market Protocol.
Other products refused entry include confectionery and sweeteners claimed by Tanzania, which are re-exported from other countries.

However, the two countries have reached a consensus to authorize the export of sugar from Uganda to Tanzania, according to a report following the second session of the meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission in Kampala in August .

Way forward
Relations between Uganda and Tanzania have long been degraded and many efforts have been made to correct them.

The minister is currently planning to visit Tanzania to try to organize a face-to-face meeting.
"They have not responded yet but we plan to go ourselves. We even hired the embbady to talk to them, but still no positive response, "he said, adding that the minister would set the date of travel.