1st July 2010 marks the commencement of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market that was signed last November. This will see all the member countries moving into a certain direction as per the terms that were agreed upon on signing.

Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are the countries that form part of the East African Bloc with a population of 130mn people. Rwanda and Kenya are flexible when it comes to work permits but for the rest of the countries in the bloc, work permits are still required.

This should not be a problem though because anyway even before the bloc, East African Countries have been having a clear policy on Investment. One is free to go and Invest in any country of their choice. For example in Uganda, Kenya is among the top investors in the country as far as investments by countries are concerned.

However, certain issues need to be looked at in the early stages of the common market and resolved as quickly as possible like the air space, regional security, work permits and most importantly the issue of traveling within the member states.
Statement by the EAC Secretary General