Exports to Uganda recover, but virus headwinds remain
TRADE: Kenya’s exports to Uganda is on the rebound, with goods worth Sh9.56 billion exported in August 2020 compared to Sh5.85 billion during the same period last year.
Within the period under review, Uganda Bureau of Statistics reports that exports to Kenya stood at Sh5 billion, a slight decline from Sh5.2 billion recorded last year.
Kenya’s main exports to Uganda include palm oil and its fractions, iron or non-alloy steel, petroleum oils and salt, and imports mostly milk and cream, tobacco, cane electrical energy and plywood.
However, according to East African Business Council (EABC), further recovery of trade between the two partners can be affected if both do not mutually recognise Covid-19 certificates being issued.
Non-recognition of the certificates had by yesterday caused delay in clearance of over 2,400 trucks into Uganda.
The snarl-up, which is costing traders of both countries billions of shillings has led to EABC chief executive Peter Mathuki calling for a regional co-ordinated approach in implementing EAC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for truck drivers.
He also called for a joint border collaboration in addressing the long truck queues and Covid-19 related issues.
“It is very critical for transporters in the region to also embrace the recently launched Regional Electronic Cargo and Driver Tracking System to improve the truck turn and allow Partner States to electronically share truck drivers’ Covid-19 test results thus minimising the need for multiple Covid-19 tests in a single trip,” said Mathuki.
He was speaking in Busia yesterday after a meeting of EABC and Ministry of East African Co-operation and private sector stakeholders at the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) and Malaba OSBP.
Truck drivers
During the meeting it was noted that most Ugandan truck drivers are travelling without Covid-19 certificates with plans of being tested at the borders.
The delegation toured Busia and Malaba border crossing points to assess the prevailing transport situation.
By yesterday, the traffic of trucks headed to the Busia border was starting at Mundika town, 15 kilometres to Busia border while the snarl up to Malaba border post was exceeding 30 kilometres.
“With about 55 trucks stalled per kilometre, this implies that more than 2,400 trucks destined for Uganda are still yet to be cleared, a move that is disrupting cross border trade and costing the economy,” said Mathuki.
