DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 13 -- WOMEN and youth engaged in small-scale cross-border trade could gain better access to regional markets as the East African Community (EAC) moves to simplify customs procedures and address barriers that make it difficult for small businesses to trade formally.

The opportunity follows the EAC Council of Ministers approval of an updated list of 565 products eligible for clearance under the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), which allows qualifying consignments worth up to 2,000 US dollars to use a Simplified Certificate of Origin, subject to compliance with EAC rules of origin.

The list includes commonly traded goods such as maize, beans, rice, cassava, bananas, avocados and honey, offering small businesses a simplifi...