THE PRINCIPLE OF ASSYMETRY IN EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY INTERGRATION

The principle of asymmetry means the principle that addresses variances in the implementation of measures in an economic integration process for Purposes of achieving a common objective[1]; It recognizes that not all countries stand equal, able to trade and exchange goods on equal terms to the mutual benefits of their populations. The principle thus seeks to redress this by recognizing the need to defer or exempt certain areas of the economy from the harsh discipline of a trade liberalization commitment regime based on the capacity of each partner member in the particular trade bloc. It is the cornerstone of the East African Customs Union (The East Africa Community) as it recognises that that the three east african countries are at a very different level of economic development and if the parties are expected to liberalize their economies at the same rate then moves towards free trade areas can generate economic difficulties for the less developed partner. It therefore proposes that where a free trade area is introduced between countries of different levels of development, then this should occur on an asymmetrical basis. Thus, for instance, under a customs union where countries are at a very different level of development, the more developed partner will eliminate tariffs more quickly and more extensively than the less developed countries.

There are two main aspects of the asymmetry principle relating to tariffs for purposes creating an equitable and balanced free trade area in the East African Customs Union:

·   asymmetry in the timing of the reduction and of elimination of tariffs

·   asymmetry in the extent of total trade to be included in the tariff reduction and     

      tariff elimination undertaken.

Asymmetry in the timing of tariff reductions means that one partner will reduce and eliminate its tariffs faster than the other partner.

Asymmetry in the extent of tariff reduction means that one partner will reduce and eliminate tariffs on a higher percentage of its total trade than the other partner.

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[1] The Preamble of the Treaty Establishing the East African Community.