DAR ES SALAAM, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Somalia has officially launched its national monitoring committee on the elimination of non-tariff barriers, marking a major milestone in its integration into the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union and Common Market, the EAC said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said the launch, jointly organized by the EAC Secretariat and the government of Somalia, took place during a workshop held from April 13 to 15 in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Annette Ssemuwemba, EAC deputy secretary general in charge of customs, trade and monetary affairs, commended Somalia for this significant step forward on the integration journey.

"The launch of the committee is more than a procedural step, and it is a symbol of institutional readiness and a shared commitment to unlocking regional trade opportunities," she said, adding that Somalia's entry into the EAC brings dynamic potential and opens a new trade frontier.

Ssemuwemba underscored the strategic role of national monitoring committees in driving the EAC's goal of increasing intra-regional trade to 40 percent by 2030.

Mohammed Isaac Ibrahim, director general for EAC affairs at Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized the country's readiness to support EAC integration objectives.

"This launch reflects not only our institutional preparedness but also our political commitment to advancing regional trade and integration," said Ibrahim. Enditem

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