A new UNCTAD research paper examines trade facilitating and restrictive practices adopted by over 140 countries in the world during the Covid 19 pandemic. The focus is on what is commonly referred to as non-tariff measures (NTMs), i.e. measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that have economic impact on international trade, both in terms of facilitating and restricting international trade (in the latter case they are more properly defined “Non-Tariff Barriers”, NTBs).

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Uganda becomes the first country in the Eastern and Southern African (EA-SA) region to convert its driver’s licensing categories to conform to the Tripartite Transit and Transport Facilitation Programme (TTTFP) standards. Funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF 11), the TTTFP is a programme launched by three Regional Economic Communities, namely: COMESA, East Africa Community (EAC) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to address cross border transport and trade challenges such as high transport costs and delays,through the implementation of harmonised road transport policies, laws, regulations, systems and standards that affect drivers, loads, vehicles and road infrastructure in the countries of the EA-SA region.

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