Economic and social conditions of the Eastern Africa sub-region 2000

Abstract

The economic development of the East African subregion in 1999 has revealed persistent structural problems and the effects of violent conflicts in certain countries. Some countries have pursued structural reforms leading to economic growth with, sometimes, results that give hope for real recovery. The structural reform programmes adopted by some countries of the subregion were aimed at restoring macro-economic balance and creating an enabling environment for private investment. However, disparities in exchange, tariff and financial policies among the countries have not made it possible to take advantage of the subregional export promotion possibilities and the resultant economic diversification. The level of economic integration of the subregion is low. Despite the existence of a large number of regional institutions promoting integration and economic co-operation among the countries, the level of intra-community trade does not exceed 20 per cent of the overall trade of the countries of the subregion.