Rwanda and Burundi have joined the East African Community Customs Union, which should lead to lower prices, as goods from fellow members are now duty free, reports BBC online Monday.
The union is intended to boost economic cooperation between the newcomers and the EAC’s other members – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. It is also seen as another step towards a possible future political federation. And there are even plans to launch a single currency.
The true test of this move will be how it improves the lives of the poor. The BBCs correspondent in the Rwandan capital Kigali says there are fears about the future of Rwandas already crippled manufacturing industries.
He says manufactures in the country need to see how the government will strike a balance between keeping local firms alive, while ensuring that consumer prices come down.
While in Burundi citizens are faced with a new another challenge – understanding what being part of the union means for their country.
