ARUSHA, Tanzania, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Friday urged its partner states to fully implement the common market protocol to allow free movement of people, goods and services.
The regional lawmakers who are meeting in the Tanzania's archipelago of Zanzibar said there is need for enhanced visibility of the regional bloc and for all partner states to adjust their national laws to that of the community.
The call came after EALA adopted a report on Friday afternoon of the activities undertaken in the partner states in February, under the theme of "Accessing the Gains and Assessing the Challenges."
The objectives of the week-long activity were to remind EAC citizens of the overall integration process and promote liaison with EAC National Assemblies and other key stakeholders.
The report calls for harmonization of custom systems to reduce the cost of business, and the adoption of Kiswahili as the region's official language.
Meanwhile, the report also reveals a number of challenges within the partner states. In Kenya, residents reported difficulties encountered while attempting to establish businesses in other EAC partner states, which contravenes the Common Market Protocol and the spirit of the EAC integration.
In Tanzania, a lack of communication was cited as a major challenge between the Tanzania Ports Authorities and other EAC partner states' revenue authorities.
