EAC Official calls for Fast-Tracking of the Study on Modalities for the Promotion of Automotive Industries in the region
The East African Community Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo, has called for fast-tracking of the study on automotive industry in EAC region and have in place the final study report with policy recommendations possibly before the expected submission in April 2017.
“This exercise and the overall study is therefore crucial as it is intended to inform the EAC and potential private sector investors on policy options and modalities that should be adopted to drive automotive industry to the next level”/
The EAC Deputy Secretary General made these remarks at the meeting with the Deputy Head of Japan International Cooperation (JICA), United Republic of Tanzania Office, Mr. Kuniaki Amatsu who paid a courtesy call on him at his office today at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Hon. Bazivamo expressed his appreciation to JICA and the government of Japan for agreeing to provide financial and technical support for undertaking the study on automotive industry in the region.
The EAC official disclosed to Mr. Amatsu that the Community has developed a regional industrialization strategy which outlines a number of sector to be promoted including iron and steel, metals; agro-processing, petrochemicals, gas and fertilizers. It is on the basis of this broad policy framework that the region has made a deliberate decision to promote the development of Automotive Industry, added Hon. Bavizamo.
”As a region, we have been motivated to develop the automotive industry as we consider it is crucial to provide the population and the business community with affordable means of transport”.
Hon. Bazivamo informed JICA official that EAC leadership (both Summit and Council) is keen and aspire for the development of a competitive automotive sector in the region.
On his part, the Deputy Head of JICA, United Republic of Tanzania Office, Mr. Kuniaki Amatsu reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support EAC integration process especially in the area of Automotive industry development.
He reiterated Japan’s readiness to continue close cooperation with the EAC Secretariat through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The courtesy call was also attended by the EAC Director of Productive, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana.