90 / 110
90
Trade and industry are some of the fastest growing
sectors in the Basin with a high potential for
contributing to improved incomes and employment.
These sectors have been greatly encouraged by
current regional integration efforts promoted by
the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union.
These efforts have facilitated intra and inter-regional
trade in the Basin. As a designated economic growth
zone, the Basin has an advantage over other regions
in terms of attracting investments. Currently, there
is little and dated data on the volume and value of
transboundary trade within or across the Basin, but
judging from the movement of goods within and
out of the Basin, it is clear that trade plays a very
important role in the local economy, as a source of
income, employment and food. Most of the trade
within and across the Basin is based on agricultural
crops, livestock products, fisheries, household goods,
farm inputs, wood and timber products, textiles and
construction materials.
Trade between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania has greatly
increased since the initiation of the integration of the
EAC partner states. Exports to Tanzania from Kenya
grew by 62 per cent from USD 0.16 billion in 2000
to USD 0.28 billion in 2005, while exports to Uganda
from Kenya grew by 65 per cent from USD 0.35 billion
in 2000 to USD 0.61 billion in 2005. Imports to Kenya
from Tanzania also grew from USD 7.84 million in 2000
to USD 41.4 million in 2005. Ugandan imports to Kenya
Trade, Industry and Energy
Kigali's developing industry is anchored onmining, trade and agriculture