Manufacturers call out states for using EAC CET loopholes for cheap imports

devki

Operators working inside the Devki Steel Mills Limited plant in Samburu, Kwale County, Kenya on September 11, 2022.  PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NMG

Manufacturers are worried about East African Community partner states’ frequent applications of stay of the EAC Common External Tariff on goods and foodstuff, saying it will lead to price distortion.

The EAC allows CET on certain products to enable the partner states to apply higher or lower import duty rates to protect local industries from competition arising from cheap imports or reduce the cost of inputs required by certain industries.