East African Community (EAC) leaders are considering banning the importation of used vehicles, clothes and shoes to promote motor vehicle assembly and the textile and leather industries in the region.

The ban is among the issues the 17th Ordinary EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, is expected to discuss.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his delegation travelled for the summit on Wednesday morning, departing from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 8am.

At the top of the EAC summit agenda will be the consideration of Council of Ministers’ reports on the negotiations on admitting South Sudan into the community and sustainable financing mechanisms for the EAC.

The EAC Summit was preceded by the East African Business Leaders’ Summit that took place on Tuesday.

This year’s summit is focused on the private sector, giving businessmen the opportunity to engage with the heads of State on key issues to be addressed in order for businesses in the EAC to thrive.

The summit also gives an opportunity to businessmen to make their voice heard at the regional level.