afrol News, 19 August - Member states of the East African Community (EAC) must "shed off some national interests" if they want to achieve a single internal market that guarantees the free movement of goods, persons, labour services and capital within countries, warned Peter Munya, Kenya's EAC assistant minisster.

"It is also imperative that partner states will have to be willing to shed off some national interests if we are to realize the objective of the common market, which is to create a single internal market that guarantees the free movement of goods, persons, labor services, and capital," he said, adding that the areas held the key to the success of the integration process.

A high-level task force involving government officials from the regional economic community states - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi - on Monday began negotiation meeting on a common market protocol.

Mr. Munya officially opened the negotiations, and spoke volumes about the benefits of the common market, which according to him, will eliminate any restrictions and barriers to trade in the community. Member countries intend to introduce a common market, a union and a common currency by 2012.

The six-day negotiatins will focus on the rights of residence, free movement of services, capital and transport in the five-member nation community.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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