Tanzania intra-EAC trade decline by 12 pc
By Mnaku Mbani
Tanzania’s intra-EAC trade declined by 12.6 percent to USD
1,139.7 million (Tsh2.4 trillion) in 2015 from the preceding year, largely on
account of a fall in imports.
According to Bank of Tanzania Economic and Operations annual
report ended in June 30, 2015 published mid this month, exports to Kenya
increased to USD 729.8 million from USD 446.0 million, while imports decreased
to USD 238.1 million from USD 654.7 million.
Exports to Uganda fell to USD 50.2 million from USD 73.3
million, while imports declined to USD 39.4 million from USD 48.0 million.
During the period under review, Tanzania was a net exporter to
other EAC countries, with a trade surplus of USD 580.5 million compared to a
trade deficit of USD 108.3 million in 2014.
Tanzania’s intra-EAC trade continued to be dominated by Kenya,
accounting for 84.9 percent of all regional trade. Kenya is also the major
trade partner with Tanzania in EAC.
The share of Tanzania’s exports to Kenya increased to 84.9 percent
in 2015 from 74.6 percent in 2014, while that of Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda
declined to 5.8 percent, 4.5 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.
The share of Tanzania imports with Kenya was 85.1 percent of its
Intra-EAC imports.
The major exports to the region were beans, maize grain, sisal
rope, tea and mosquito nets, while imports were medicine, soap, confectionary
products, salt, margarine, diesel and crown corks.
According to Tanzania Revenue Authority, during the year, Tanzania
recorded trade surpluses of $491 million with Kenya, $10 million with Uganda,
$38 million with Burundi and $40 million surplus with Rwanda.
Maoni
Chapisha Maoni