| dc.description.abstract | As international trade and investment levels continue to nse, the level of economic integration between various groups of nations is also deepening. There has been a worldwide wave of regional integration agreements. Most of these regional integration agreements were set up in Africa but they ended up dormant or failed. The importance of trade within the common market is paramount because it is the first step towards economic and political integration. Trading blocs have become quite ubiquitous, with approximately 200 of them presently operating in the world trading system. However, many of these trading blocs are not successful in their goal of improving the economic development of their respective regions. Indeed, in the last three decades many trading blocs have failed and have been dismantled.
World over trading blocs has facilitated business and economic cum political integration. As international trade and investment levels continue to rise, the level of economic integration between various groups of nations is also deepening. The most obvious example of this is the European Union, which has evolved from a collection of autarkical nations to become a fully integrated economic unit. Although it is rare that relationships between countries follow so precise a pattern, formal economic integration takes place in stages, beginning with the lowering and removal of barriers to trade and culminating in the creation of an economic union. The defunct EAC collapsed as a result of mistrust of member countries and also due to non involvement of the private sector dealing a severe blow to all the potential benefits likely to be accrued.
The study sought to find the factors that influence implementation of East Africa Common Market within Kenya. In attempting to achieve the results, a case study research design was adopted. Towards this end, the study collected primary data from the ministry of East Africa Community using an interview guide. The study established that lack of complementarities in trade flows, overlapping membership, resolution implementation, pressure from regional corporations as an impetus for political change, the potential for greater economic gain for members than can be achieved through unilateral trade, Political dimension of the integration, importance of commitment institutions, political will, importance of regional leader and infrastructure influence the implementation of East Africa Community Common Market.
The political will is a key ingredient for the long-term stability of a regional trading bloc and the EAC member states have confirmed that as 100% of the respondents were of the opinion that the member states have the political will as the leaders are fully committed to the success of the protocol. The results of the common market cannot be predicted with any certainty. The immediate uncertainty centers on the willingness of country leaders to support free movement of labour in practice. If unscrupulous politicians stir up trouble around it, governments may not be able to avoid responding with protectionist measures. | en_US |
