LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

Trade, Industry and Energy

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

Kigali's developing industry is anchored onmining, trade and agriculture

90