Posted in Press Release
East African Community, Kigali, Rwanda, 8th May, 2021: The East African Community Secretary General, Hon (Dr.) Peter Mathuki has pledged to work closely with the private sector in the region, adding that they were the key drivers for deeper integration.
“I want to assure you that I shall do all that is within my powers to ensure that the private sector plays its rightful role in the integration process,” said Dr. Mathuki.
Speaking at the Private Sector Dinner Roundtable held in Kigali, Rwanda, the Secretary General informed the CEO’s that it was the vision of the EAC Founding Fathers that the private sector would work together with the Community to promote the integration process by creating wealth and employment for the people of East Africa.
“I intend to go the extra mile to improve the working relationship between policymakers and the business community, through Public-Private sector dialogue initiatives,” said the Secretary General.
Dr. Mathuki affirmed that he believes in an enhanced conducive regional business policy environment that takes into account proposals and recommendations from the private sector, adding that this would build confidence in the region as an attractive investment destination and trade hub.
The Secretary General highlighted to the business community his priority areas that he believes should be addressed to promote the growth of the private sector in the region.
Disclosing his areas of priority, the Secretary General said he will first create an enabling environment that supports the Customs Union and Common Market to function at their optimal levels to promote economic growth, and; establishing a Single Currency to be used throughout East Africa as envisaged under the East African Monetary Union Protocol which will, among other things, ease trade and the cost of doing business within the region.
The SG further said he intends to put in place a Dispute Settlement Mechanism as a follow up to the ratification of the Customs Union Protocol in addition to a Trade Remedies Committee.
In addition, the Secretary General said he will work closely with Partner States and the private sector to reduce the cost of energy which said has a big impact on the competitiveness of products, and; rollout of the One Area Network to all Partner States to boost trade and interaction among EAC Citizens through affordable mobile calling and data tariffs.
On a joint regional response to Covid-19, Dr Mathuki called for joint measures between Partner States’ governments and the business community against the Covid-19 pandemic
The dinner round table was organized by the East African Business Council in partnership with the GIZ- BDI under the theme “Enhancing a Private Sector led Integration & Emerging Opportunities in East Africa.”
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified
Posted in Press Release
East African Community, Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 8th May, 2021: The East African Community Secretary General, Hon (Dr.) Peter Mathuki has called on the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) to invest more on innovation and creativity in their programmes that bring the vision of a fully integrated and developed EAC closer to reality.
Addressing the staff at the headquarters of EASTECO in Kigali, Rwanda, the Secretary General disclosed that the EAC had established EASTECO specifically because it believes that education particularly sciences, technology and mathematics in addition to research research were the foundations of any competitive economy.
Dr. Mathuki reiterated how critical the Commission was in the EAC integration process to unlock the growth and market potential for the region and contribute to equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the EAC’s Vision 2050.
Dr. Mathuki urged all staff of EASTECO to work as a team and make sure that they live-up to the expectations of the people in bringing solutions in areas of technology.
“We have been given the privilege to serve our citizens at the regional level and therefore utmost commitment to duty is a must,” he said.
On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary of EASTECO, Mr. Fortunate Muyambi, briefed the Secretary General on the key achievements and challenges of the Institution. He called for Secretary General’s support in removing some of the bottlenecks hindering the commission to from executing its mandate in the region
The purpose of the Secretary General’s visit to EASTECO was familiarize himself with EAC institutions and to understand their contribution to the integration process and the challenges they face in the discharge of their mandates.
Meanwhile, from the EASTECO headquarters in Kigali, the Secretary General attended his first EAC Council of Ministers, which took place virtually on 7th May, 2021.
The 42nd Extra-ordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers considered several matters geared towards deepening and widening the regional integration agenda that include the report of the Audit Commission on the East African Community Financial Statement for financial year 2018/2019; recruitment of staff and the role of the Ad-hoc Service Commission as well as outstanding payments to East African Legislative Assembly Members.
Accompanying the SG to the EASTECO Headquarters was the EALA Speaker Rt. Hon. Ngoga Martins and the Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: sowaka [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of six Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified
