China and EAC Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

The Framework Agreement between EAC and China focuses on the promotion of commodity trade, exchange of visits by business people from EAC and China, co-operation in investment, infrastructure development, human resource development and training. The two sides also created a Joint Committee on Economy, Trade, Investment and Technical Cooperation (JCET) as the implementation framework for the Agreement. 

This is a different type agreement from the EPAs. It focuses on market enabling assistance in areas such as infrastructure development, skills development and private sector engagement. In fact, China has indicated she will provide funding for feasibility studies on roads and infrastructure. The focus on commodity trade also signals willingness to expand agricultural production and processing of agricultural commodities and thereby enhancement of the value chain.