The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) held a one day joint technical meeting that aimed at eliminating all non-tariff barriers (NTB's). The meeting brought together experts from Rwanda and their Ugandan counterparts.

Non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) are trade barriers that restrict imports but are not in the usual form of a tariff. Some common examples of NTB's are anti-dumping measures and countervailing duties, which, although they are called "non-tariff" barriers, have the effect of tariffs once they are enacted.

This bilateral meeting on NTBs follows a similar one which was held in Kabale, Uganda in January 19-20 this year.

At the meeting, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of trade and Industry Emmanuel Hategeka noted that the recommendations made at Kabale meeting were adopted by the respective Ministers at the Joint Permanent Commission meeting. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to that effect.

Hategeka explained that the purpose of meeting was to take stock of what each Partner State has done to implement the Memorandum of Understanding, and lay a good foundation for deeper cooperation in future.

"Measures to enhance trade between our countries need to be implemented in a coordinated manner for us to achieve optimum gains," said Hategeka adding that Rwanda implemented the electronic Single Window System on a pilot basis and this is a significant milestone for Rwanda.

The window facilitates electronic sharing of information between different agencies that have an interest in the movement of goods and persons across borders according to the specific needs of agencies.

Other than elimination of Non-Tariff barriers, experts also shared information on the situation existing in their respective countries with respect to Cross-Border Trade, Micro- Small & Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development.

The two countries will also look into Cross-Border Trade and will include establishment of trade information desks at the borders to resolve disputes between cross-border traders, capacity building, enhancing access to financing, sharing of best practices in management, promotion and strengthening of cooperatives.

It will also cater for the enhancement of capacity building for the cooperative movement and staff, strengthening and ensuring regular updates on the status of NTB's in the two Partner States.