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{
"id": 1157351,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1157351/?format=api",
"text_counter": 99,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13188,
"legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
"slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
},
"content": "DRC is called the national zoo of the world because it provides habitat to a large number of animals, birds, reptiles insects etc. This rich economic background of DRC has implications that her as a member State of EAC will boost trade in the region and foster employment and business opportunities in the EAC region. The inclusion of DRC Congo’s consumer market of close to 90 million people will expand the EAC market to almost 300 million and open the bloc to the Congolese economy which is rich in all kinds of natural resources. The bloc’s common market, which groups 177 million people, provides for free movement of goods, people, labor, services and capital among partner States of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the inclusion of DRC necessitates a framework of economic operation that will safeguard its trade in East Africa. Currently, most of the goods imported by DRC are from outside East Africa from countries such as Zambia and Asia. Congo will provide a corridor for East African nations along the Indian Ocean coastline to connect with the Atlantic Ocean, opening a window to increased intra- African trade. The EAC now spans from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean making the region competitive and easy to access the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), with lower tariffs on goods and the removal of trading restrictions among partner States, it is anticipated that goods and services will move more freely. With a larger market, manufacturers in the EAC, whether large, small or medium scale enterprises, will benefit from economies of scale, making them increasingly efficient and competitive. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, with the benefits that the EAC bloc stands to gain with this member entry, security concerns are still high in the DRC, especially in the restive eastern part, which may discourage trade and investments. This calls for functional strategies by the entire bloc to guarantee long-term peace, which, in turn, will boost cross-border trade. As the legal processes of inclusion and ratification continue, there are challenges of language barrier that need to be realized and redefined to be mixed blessings of opportunity. English and Kiswahili are currently the official languages of EAC. DRC’s official language is multilingual, that is Swahili, French, Lingala, Kikongo and Tshiluba. The issue of language necessitates introduction of another EAC official language that is French which is used in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi as well. This is a windfall for language experts on the inclusion of DRC. There is need to encounter the use of French as an official language in order to add to the two already formal languages in use. In conclusion, I wish the DRC the best and hope that this admission will provide an opportunity to entrench peace and security in DRC. It is without doubt that the DRC is a desirable addition, and all EAC members stand to benefit from its admission. I thank you. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me to present another Statement."
}