The East African Community has put off the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement after Tanzania and Burundi backtracked on a regional trade deal with the European Union.
Ruto who represented Kenya, made the country’s case before four East African countries in an attempt to resolve an impasse that will allow tax-free exports to Europe.
They have requested the EU parliament for an extension of that deadline…Magufuli himself proposed that extension. IMO we’ll be granted a January deadline. Tanzania will have to sign by then and if they don’t it will be their day of reckoning.
I take it that the countries dragging their feet to sign the agreement habour the fear that they may have nothing to export to Europe after all, and the benefits may accrue mostly to Kenya.
Remember Kenya delegation had foolishly rushed to Brussell to sign the trade aggrement. They were reminded it is all meaningless unless UG and TZ are on board.