EAC, EABC Board Members Meet to Discuss Areas of Collaboration
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 7th November, 2017:
The Board of Directors and staff from the East African Business Council (EABC) led by the Chairman, Mr. Jim Kabeho yesterday met the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko at the EAC headquarters, in Arusha ,Tanzania .
The two parties had an in-depth discussion on areas of collaboration and key priority projects that can make a difference in the region as well as generate results for the integration process.
Addressing the meeting, the EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko informed the EABC Board of Directors that EAC has developed the 5th EAC Development Strategy under the EAC Vision 2050 which will provide strategic direction for the Community for the next 5 years. The goal is to build a firm foundation for transforming the East African Community into a stable, competitive and sustainable lower middle income region by 2021. The participation and the involvement of private sector is key towards the achievement of this goal, added, Secretary General.
He informed the EABC Board Members that for the last three or so years EAC has been seized of the importance of putting the East African business sector at the heart of promoting intra-regional trade and investments. “I am optimistic that by the end of our meeting, we shall be able to identify in concrete terms those areas of collaboration for the next phase and how to improve on what we have been doing’’.
On his part, the Chairperson of EABC Board of Directors, Mr. Jim Kabeho said EABC is committed to providing a regional platform through which the business community can present their concerns to ensure a conducive business environment within the East African Community.
“I pledge our commitment and support to the EAC Secretariat towards making our region conducive for investments and doing business at large’’
The two parties discussed key areas of collaboration including; EAC - Private Sector Development Strategy and Development of the new version; Priorities areas for joint implementation and synergy during the financial year 2017/2018 and 2018/2019; Joint resource mobilization for the next financial year as well as setting up joint EAC Private Sector Fund.
At the end of the EAC-EABC consultative meeting, the Secretary General addressed the Press accompanied by the EABC Board Members and EAC official.
Also present at the meeting were the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, and Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Alhaj Rashid Kibowa.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001: 2008 Certified