Monday October 10, 2022
President William Ruto.
Image: FILE
President William Ruto has called for a free trade across
the East African countries.
Ruto said that there is need to transform East Africa to
borderless community.
"We are looking in our lifetime that in the next few
years people, goods, and services can move across this East Africa as we lead
the way in ensuring that Africa's Continental Free Trade area becomes a
reality," Ruto said.
He spoke during Uganda's Independence Day celebrations on
Sunday.
Ruto assured the East African community of his commitment to
the region interests.
The President said that East African countries should share
opportunities to advance each other.
"It is very clear to us that we cannot share poverty
and hunger but we can share opportunity and prosperity," he said.
He said that the region should eliminate barriers across
East African borders.
"It is our place as leaders and citizens of the East
Africa region for us to work together so that we can transform our borders
which today stands out as barriers and convert them to bridges so that goods,
services and people can move across East Africa without impediments," he
said.
He added that the Ministry of Trade in both Kenya and Uganda
will work together to share opportunities.
''Together we can formulate and sign into the guided trade
agreement of ensuring Free Trade area
becomes a reality to harness opportunity for trade and for people to work
together," he said.
Several heads of states from Africa were present as Uganda
celebrated its 60th Independence Anniversary.
They included Somalia President Hassan Mohamud, Sudan
President Salva Kiir and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye among others