Burundi--Consultative Group Meeting Nov 17, 2009
Introduction of a VAT and implementation of the EAC s common external tariff. 2006. (IMF News)
East Africa: Imported Cement Hurts EAC Producers Nov 9, 2009
Under the EAC Common External Tariff (CET), cement was classified as a sensitive product whose tariff was set at 55% in 2005, and was to be reduced at rate of 5% per year. The EAC common external tariff is classified in three tariff bands of zero percent for raw materials, 10% for intermediate goods and 25% for finished products. (allAfrica.com)
Nigeria: Customs Intercepts Arms, Ammunition Oct 9, 2009
The controller said that the container has been detained for contravention of Schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff pending further investigation, adding that the clearing agent and one other suspect have been arrested and are currently in detention and helping the Command in their investigations ... Adewuyi said further "You will recall that importation of refined vegetable oil contravenes Section 5 Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff 2008- 2012. The containers have since been seized... (allAfrica.com)
Garcia Says Uruguay on Verge of Investment Grade as Elections Pose No Risk Oct 7, 2009
A June report prepared by Lugars staff recommends bypassing Mercosurs common external tariff, which prevents members from signing individual free trade agreements, by granting trade privileges unilaterally to Uruguay. Embracing Uruguay would send a signal the U.S. is not ceding its interests in the region and could encourage some heretofore reluctant countries to expand their trade relations with the U.S., said the report, referring to Argentina and Brazil. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Southern Africa: Effort Afoot to Save Rickety Customs Union Oct 3, 2009
On the other hand, the threat posed to the common external tariff (CET) by a divergence in 53 tariff lines between the EPA signatories and the other states seems to have nobody overly concerned. "If we address this as a group no issues will arise," maintained Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. (allAfrica.com)
U.S. Senator Lugar Proposes Measure to Expand Trade Relations With Uruguay Sep 15, 2009
A June report prepared by Lugars staff recommends bypassing Mercosurs common external tariff, which prevents members from signing individual free trade agreements, by granting trade privileges unilaterally to Uruguay. Embracing Uruguay would send a signal the U.S. is not ceding its interests in the region and could encourage some heretofore reluctant countries to expand their trade relations with the U.S., said the report, which was based on meetings with Uruguayan officials. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Web Exclusive: Southern African Customs Union faces extinction Sep 4, 2009
SACU was first formed in 1910, and then reformed in 1969, to maintain the free interchange of goods between member countries and providing for a common external tariff and a common excise tariff in the common customs area. But since 1969, the union has been plagued with disagreements by members over the role that the union should play, McCarthy said. (Business Report, South Africa)
Southern Africa: 'Do or Die' for World's Oldest Customs Union [interview] Aug 26, 2009
How much pressure has the signing of the interim EPA put on SACU's Common External Tariff (CET) and the future of the union. SACU is still in business, but it's not business as usual. (allAfrica.com)
Southern Africa: Namibia Caught in Stand-Off Between South Africa And Europe Aug 21, 2009
In July Mozambique and the SACU-states Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland signed an interim EPA with the EU. In the unlikely event that the Europeans insisted on immediate application of the agreement, SACU's common external tariff (CET) would collapse, with disastrous effects for the regional union. Yet, EPA-sceptics Angola, Namibia and South Africa (ANSA) held out for further assurances from Brussels. (allAfrica.com)
East Africa: Rwanda Lauds EAC Customs Union Jul 4, 2009
By implementing the Common External Tariff, the tariff regime of Rwanda will be harmonised along with the other EAC Partner States. The Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union came into force on the 1st of January 2005 in the three founding Partner States; United Republic of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. (allAfrica.com)
West Africa: Ecowas Targets 2020 for Single Currency Jun 24, 2009
The Heads of State and Government also approved a new Common External Tariff (CET) regime of the region, with the creation of a fifth band of 35 per cent to be levied on certain categories of goods imported into the region. The revised regime is to replace the four-band regime approved during the 2006 summit of Heads of State and Government, and is part of the platforms for creating a common market in West Africa. (allAfrica.com)
ECOWAS leaders review meltdown, political crisis Jun 22, 2009
Also expected to be approved by the leaders is the expansion to five bands of the tariff regime for West Africa, which will see the Common External Tariff (CET) increase from the four bands approved by the leaders in January 2006 to a fifth band of 35 per cent for certain categories of goods traded in the region. The new regime is part of efforts to harmonise the CET structure in the zone in the build-up to the creation of a common market. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
West African leaders to hold mid-year summitAbuja, Nigeria (PANA) - West African leaders will gather in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja for a one-day summit on Monday to deliberate on recent developmentsin the sub-region, particularly the situations inGuinea, Guinea Bissau and Niger. 18/06/2009 Full Text... Jun 18, 2009
The 36th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS will also approve the expansion to five bands of the tariff regime for West Africa, which will se e the Common External Tariff (CET) for the region increase from the four band approved by the leaders in January 2006 to include a fifth band of 35 per cent for certain categories of goods. A statement from the Abuja-based ECOWAS Commission said the new regime was part of the process of harmonizing the CET structure in West Africa, in... (Panapress.com)
East Africa: Region Turns to Agro Processing Jun 16, 2009
This will include administrative and legal framework of the Customs Union, the Common External Tariff (CET) and customs collection and elimination of tariff on intra-EAC trade. In order to promote tourism in the region, import duty on specially designed tourist vehicles will be remitted. (allAfrica.com)
Southern Africa: Trade Clash Brews Over Europe Jun 5, 2009
"We will not be admitting things which do not comply with the rules of origin under the TDCA. "We will not be allowing them to come into the SA market, and if that means that we have to introduce border control issues with Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland and they have to do likewise, then so be it," he insisted. The BLS decision to break ranks and sign the interim EPA still holds major implications for the future of the customs union. SA's chief trade negotiator Xavier Carim said SACU would also... (allAfrica.com)
Minister tasks ECOWAS on human trafficking, free movement May 28, 2009
Also on Tuesday, a draft decision to modify the regional Common External Tariff (CET) from a four-band structure to five and which will allow member-states to increase their peak tariff on imported goods from 30 per cent to 35 per cent was tabled before the Council of Ministers in the mid-year session. The four-band CET of between 0 and 20 per cent for goods imported into the region was approved in January 2006 by the Heads of State as part of the process of creating a common market by extending... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
Chad destroys 7 rebel bases inside SudanUN peacekeepers condemn rebel attacks against Sudanese forces in DarfurSudanese President puts death toll from Darfur crisis at 10,000Chad opts for UN mediation to resolve crisis with Sudan UNHCR expresses concern over renewed fighting in Somalia'Operation against Somali pirates a success'UN envoy condemns efforts to grab power in MogadishuEgypt to host anti-piracy conference in May CHAN champions DR Congo to play NamibiaUN Security Council visits DR Congo MondayAfDB grants US$97.18m to DRCPresident Kabila moves to combat corruption Ivorian Prime Minister urges mutinous soldiers to remain calmGbagbo: "Whoever delays Ivorian elections is a criminal"Gbagbo reaffirms his desire for Ivorian peaceGbagbo signs Ivorian amnesty law ON THE WIRE EPA: ECOWAS ministers seek commitment on development programmeAbuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Rounding off a one-day meeting here, ECOWAS Ministers responsible for coordinating ongoing negotiationsof the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) have urged regional negotiators to secure unequivocalcommitment from the European Commission and EU member states to contribute to the funding of a development programme to amelioratethe effects of the agreement on West Africa. 19/05/2009 Full Text... May 19, 2009
It said a fifth band for a Common External Tariff (CET) that has been agreed f or the region should be re-negotiated with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under the leadership of the ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions, which should also dev elop a regional methodology to determine the 5th band products and their re-categorisation. Moreover, it called for the finalisation of complementary measures and safeguard s that will enable ECOWAS member states to mitigate the effects of tax reforms that will... (Panapress.com)
Southern Africa: EU Hopeful of Signing Interim Deal With Region Soon May 12, 2009
Most of the concerns SADC countries had with the EPA have been resolved, and the EU had, significantly, abandoned a request for the liberalisation of 320 tariff lines which would have given the EU easier access into the BLNS market, in order to maintain Sacu's common external tariff. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
Southern Africa Remains Silent on Interim European Trade Deal Apr 7, 2009
The key issue of maintaining the integrity of the common external tariff of SACU in the light of the different regimes of the TDCA and the EPA is met by retrofitting TDCA tariffs for all SADC members. This is "a practical way that fully preserves the integrity of the SACU customs external tariff," Ashton wrote. (allAfrica.com)
