In response to the request by Kenya Manufacturers Association for support to conduct training on the NTBs online reporting and monitoring mechanism, TMSA in collaboration with COMESA Secretariat conducted a successful training and sensitization workshop in Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya on 2nd September, 2010. The training was well received by participants who hailed the online system as relevant and timeous for East Africa region as the online reporting would ensure timeous resolution and sensitization of existing NTBs in partner states.
The workshop covered in great detail NTBs issues such as definitions, categorisation and the range of NTBs faced by the business community. Also covered were regional arrangements in place to address the plethora of NTBs in the eastern and southern Africa. The workshop is part of the regional trade facilitation programme undertaken by TMSA to enhance inter- and intra-regional trade within the tripartite framework. This will be partly achieved through enhancing the efficiency and usage of the NTBs online reporting, monitoring and eliminating mechanism.
It is envisaged that such training will result in increased and more effective usage of the NTBs system which will in turn lead to quicker resolution of reported NTBs. Increased usage of the NTBs online reporting, monitoring and eliminating mechanism contributes towards achieving RECs objective to eliminate all non-tariff and other barriers to trade thereby achieving full FTA status.
