Load-Shedding is Detrimental To SA's Economy And EAC Increases Import Tariffs To Project Local Manufacturers

Breakfast Connect

Africa Business Radio — During a press conference over the weekend by the Communication minister and government spokesman, Cameroon denied the alleged accusation of indiscriminate killings, arrests, and torture of people in the strife-hit English speaking Northwest/Southwest regions by the country's forces in a report by Amnesty International. The minister describes the report as hasty inference, unacceptable defamatory tactics in an attempt to destabilize the country. Tanzania and Kenya as part of the big four economies in East Africa Community announced a proposed tariff increase of some selected goods in an attempt to protect the local manufacture from any forms of unfair advantages by cheap imported and second hands goods. According to the agreement reached by the Finance ministers from EAC member states during their last meeting, there was a unanimous decision to effect changes to the CET and make amendments to the EAC Customs Management Act 2004, to protect local industries and farmers from cheap imports of items like sugar, maize, wheat and rice, as well as Customs-related taxation measures. Uganda and Rwanda have not proposed any tariff changes as yet. In a statement by Kenya's finance cabinet secretary, he disclosed that the local textile and footwear sector is closing down due to increased unfair competition from cheap imported textiles and footwear as well as secondhand clothing and footwear. Africa Business Radio