EAC Secretariate benchmark at Tatu City’s Special Economic Zones

By Monica MUEMA

Representatives from the East Africa Community (EAC) member states, including members of the Secretariate, visited Tatu City, the 5,000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone (SEZ), for a familiarization tour.

The purpose of the visit was to help the member states better understand SEZs and appreciate the challenges investors and operators in the SEZs face, particularly on regional market access and rules of origin. These findings will inform the recommendations proposed in the upcoming EAC-SEZ Regulations review exercise.

“Following a recent knowledge exchange visit with the Secretariate of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and this visit in particular, it has become evident that there is a shared interest in fostering regional integration by establishing favourable and mutually beneficial trading policies,” Solomon Mahinda, Tatu City Executive Vice President.

The delegation, under the auspices of the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), had convened in Nairobi for a workshop to discuss and finalise the proposed draft regulations for the EAC-SEZ policy, which will help promote trade and regional market access within the East Africa community.

“Visiting and interacting with the experts who have successfully established and operated a mixed-use SEZ is truly enlightening for the EAC Secretariate in attendance.

The insights gained from this visit will be invaluable in guiding our efforts to streamline the EAC-SEZ regulatory framework,” commented Annette Kenganzi, Senior Exports Promotion Officer Arusha, Tanzania.

Late last year, Tatu City hosted Ugandan members of parliament for a learning tour on establishing mixed-use Special Economic Zones. More recently, Kenya’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Council of Governors visited the city as the government looks to develop industrial parks and SEZs in each of Kenya’s 47 counties.

Dozens of companies operate in Tatu City’s business-friendly location, including Kenya Wine Agencies Limited, Dormans, Copia, Cooper K-Brands, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Twiga Foods, CCI Global, Freight Forwarders Solutions, Friendship Group and Davis & Shirtliff. More than 3,000 homes and apartments are occupied or under construction at Unity Homes and the Kijani Ridge neighbourhood.