The East African Business Council or EABC calls on East African Community for a coordinated approach on the resumption of regional air services to encourage intra trade and revive the tourism and hospitality sector which is heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EABC congratulates Kenya and Rwanda as they resume international flights on, August 1st, 2020.
Tanzania opened its airport on May 18th, 2020 which is important steps towards the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.
However, the differences emerging in regional air transport services among some partner states are set to adversely affect the rebound of business in the region.
According to EAC Trade and Investment Report, Intra trade stood at $5.98 billion in 2018.
With the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, regional trade is expected to decline by 50 percent this year.
The re-opening of regional air transport services will integrate the regional logistics value chains for increased exports of fresh produce, regional tourism and enable service providers to tap into the larger EAC market.
The business Council urges the partner states to prioritize and fast-track the unconditional re-opening of regional air transport services.