has remained around 3 out of 10 between 2003 and 2011, with no significant annual improvement in those years. 635. The CRM confirmed the perception of a majority of stakeholders that money laundering is also a problem. However, its incidence is difficult to be quantified. The public generally feel that money laundering is big business on the part of some ‘big shots’ in government, and their associates. The stakeholders agreed that there are many instances of money laundering being reported through the media and by the PCCB, and that the problem may be on the increase. The CRM further confirmed that Government continues to take steps to effectively deal with this problem. These include putting in place the necessary legal provisions, strengthening institutions mandated with the task of fighting money laundering, financial sector reforms requiring more disclosure of information on financial transactions, creating public awareness, and cooperation with neighbouring countries. lll. Recommendations 636. The APR Panel recommends that the United Republic of Tanzania: • Continue strengthening the institutions and instruments which are already in place to fight corruption and money laundering; [The Presidency] Objective 5: Accelerate Regional Integration by Harmonising Monetary, Trade And Investment Policy I. Summary of the CSAR 637. The CSAR notes that Tanzania’s participation in regional trading arrangements, notably in the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is inspired primarily by economic benefits, including trade-related advantages. Over time, this is expected to increase of intra-REC trade volumes. There are also the related economic advantages of enhanced integration emanating from increased market size and economies of scale. 638. The CSAR reports that in 1999, the Treaty on the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC) was signed, and entered into force in 2000. The EAC is now at the stage of a customs union and negotiations to set up a common market concluded. The Protocol was signed by the Heads of State in 2009. The Treaty on the Establishment of the East African Community envisages integration among the East African countries to progress from a Customs Union to a Common Market, then a Monetary Union and ultimately, a Political Federation (Article 5(2)). 639. The key objective of the EAC is to develop policies aimed at widening and deepening cooperation in all fields, for the mutual benefit of its members (Article 5 of the EAC Treaty). The EAC’s specific objectives include: (a) promoting sustainable growth and equitable development of its members, including rational utilisation of the region’s natural resources and environmental protection; (b) strengthening and consolidating the long-standing political, economic, social, cultural, and traditional ties of its members; (c) enhancing the participation of the private sector and civil society; (d) mainstreaming gender in all its programmes and enhancing the role of women in development; (e) promoting good governance, including adherence to the principles of the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, and gender equality; and, (f) facilitating peace and stability within the region. EAC members are also eligible for non-reciprocal preferential treatment under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP); the Cotonou Agreement with the EC; and, the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 640. EAC integration is guided by a number of implementation frameworks, including the EAC Development Strategy (2011-2015), as well as other policies and strategies, related protocols, directives and decisions. The EAC Customs Union Protocol was ratified in 2004 and full implementation commenced in January 2010. The Common Market Protocol was signed in November 2009 and entered into force in July 2010. The move to a Common Market is expected to lead to freer trade and freer movement of goods, services, capital and people within the region and hence, to increased trade. 133