East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th February, 2019: The 1st Steering Committee meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Officiating at the meeting’s session, the EAC Director General (DG) for Customs and Trade Directorate, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda said that the overarching goal of MARKUP was to contribute to the economic development of the EAC by increasing the value of both extra- and intra-regional agricultural exports, focussing on exports to the European Union (EU).
“It is meant basically to promote increased regional and international trade through improved competitiveness, value addition for enhanced trade and investment,” said Mr. Bagamuhunda.
The DG commended the EAC Partner States for engaging in dialogue with the EU and other partners to guide the scope and approach to Market Access Upgrade Programme.
The DG, who spoke on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that the MARKUP would also enhance the capacity of the Community to take full advantage of the other free trade arrangements that are being concluded like the Tripartite COMESA-EAC-SADC Free Trade Area and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He called for high level cooperation amongst the implementing agencies (GIZ, International Trade Centre and UN Industrial Development Organization), Partner States, the private sector, Project Coordination Unit (PCU), the EAC Secretariat, as well as the EU in order to ensure success of the project.
Addressing the same function, the Team Leader, Regional Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Tanzania, Mr. Jocelin Cornet, said the MARKUP was a pilot programme in the EAC-EU cooperation framework because it integrates national interventions complementing regional ones. Adding that the principle of subsidiarity was key to success in regional integration initiatives.
Cornet said that MARKUP was the first EU regional programme supporting the EAC Secretariat in developing key regional value chains and, in particular, a number of agro-industrial and horticultural products with high economic growth potential.
“We believe that sustainable cooperation programmes require clear ownership by our partners and last year's decision to fully integrate the MARKUP programme in the EAC decisional processes through the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) was to us a clear sign of ownership, which in itself deserves to be commended,” said Cornet.
He cautioned that MARKUP was a complex project which will require extra efforts in coordination in addition to wide consultations both at the national and regional level. Crucial in this will be the work of the programme's PCU, which he commended for the efforts in this initial phase.
The EU official further said that the setting up of appropriate governance mechanisms at the national level (like National Coordination Groups or Steering Committees) and the foreseen role of National Focal Points was equally very critical.
“Regional integration is not usually well understood by our citizens and therefore the need to put in place a well-coordinated and effective communication and visibility plan for MARKUP activities as this will ensure appropriate knowledge-sharing and buy-in from the many stakeholders,” said Cornet.
He expressed satisfaction with the work carried out so far by the main implementing partners in the EAC WINDOW, namely GIZ and International Trade Centre (ITC), and assured them and the Partner States WINDOW implementers (including UNIDO and the EAC Partner States) of EU’s trust and support and requested for quality results/outputs.
On his part, GIZ’s Senior Trade Advisor, Mr. Bernd Schmidt, said GIZ considers MARKUP as an important complement to the strong, positive and continued cooperation with the EAC Secretariat.
“MARKUP fits very well with the BMZ’s Marshall Plan with Africa which inter alia underlines that Africa must be more than the continent of raw materials. The economic policy which powers the German Marshall Plan focuses on diversification, the establishment of value chains targeted support for agriculture and SMEs and dismantling trade barriers,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt disclosed that GIZ will, among other things, coordinate activities aimed at improving the harmonization of standards and sanitary and phytosanitary measures in addition to closing implementation gaps.
The two-day meeting, which is being chaired by Rwanda’s Trade Negotiation and Cooperation Specialist, Mrs. Basemera Peace Mugisha, is considering the Report of the EAC-EU adhoc MARKUP Steering Committee meeting held from 27th to 28th February, 2018; MARKUP Progress reports on the EAC and Partner States Window, and: the Work plans under the Partner States Window.
The meeting is being attended by Permanent/Principal Secretaries from the Partner States’ line Ministries, officials from EU, GIZ, ITC, the East African Business Council and EAC Secretariat staff.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The East African Community (EAC) Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) is a 4-year initiative funded by the European Union (EU), with co-financing from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ) to the tune of Euro 39 million. It was launched on 20th June, 2018 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. It covers, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. MARKUP addresses both the supply side and market access constraints of selected key export-oriented commodities: coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, avocados and other selected horticultural products. The overarching goal of MARKUP is to contribute to the economic development of the EAC region by increasing the value of both extra- and intra-regional agricultural exports, focussing on exports to the European Union.
This goal will be achieved through the realization of 4 key results:
Improved capacity to advocate for the removal of sector trade barriers;
Improved sector standards and harmonisation of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures;
Enhanced export competitiveness for sector SMEs, and;
Improved business development capacities for sector SMEs.
Delivery Approach
MARKUP has a two-pronged intervention approach:
EAC Window: Supporting the EAC Secretariat to co-ordinate selected region-wide policyregulatory and capacity building initiatives, and
Partner States Window: Supporting Partner States and stakeholders to implement country-specific or tailor made initiatives to address supply side and market access constraints.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) implements actions for Results 1, 3 and 4 of the EAC Window; while the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) implements actions for Result 2 and provides overall co-ordination of the Programme on behalf of the EAC Secretariat.
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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.
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: February 1st, 2019: The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has commenced sensitization activities in the Partner States with legislators targeting various stakeholders in the outreach programme.
The sensitization activities, been carried out by the EALA local chapters in the Partner States, is shall run over six days (Feb 1-6th, 2019). The sensitization programme is anchored on the theme: “EAC Integration Agenda: Accessing the gains and assessing the Challenges”.
The sensitization activities target Parliamentarians, youth groups, representatives of the business community and local government authorities. Other groups include the women organisations, learning institutions and media in the respective Partner States. The sensitisation activities are to run simultaneously in the Partner States.
EALA will work with the respective Ministries of EAC in the Partner States to identify and access the target stakeholders. The week-long sensitization activities will include; presentations as well as questions and answers to select representatives of the stakeholders groups, public addresses (Baraza) where possible and courtesy calls to the Regional Commissioners, Governors and District leaders among other opinion leaders in respective Partner States.
The overall objectives of the sensitization programme are:
(i) to sensitize EAC citizens on the overall integration process,
(ii) to promote liaison with EAC National Assemblies and key stakeholders,
(iii) to create awareness among the EAC populace on the gains and challenges of integration,
(iv) to enhance mutual relationships and sustainable networking between EALA and EAC populace,
(v) to EAC populace on the role of EALA in the integration process.
A number of benefits are expected to be arrived at when done. Such include;
(i) sensitization of EAC citizenry on the overall integration process,
(ii) promotion of liaison with EAC National Assemblies and key stakeholders,
(iii) creation of awareness among the EAC populace on the gains and challenges of integration,
(iv) enhancement of mutual relationships and sustainable networking between EALA and EAC populace,
(v) informed EAC populace on the role of EALA in the integration process.
The EAC which turns two decades later this year has realized a number of economic achievements. The establishment of the Customs Union, has led to increase of intra-regional trade through establishment of the single customs territory where importers clear their goods at the point of entry and revenues are collected at that point and remitted to the destination Partner State. Also in place, is the one stop border post leading to integrated land border management systems where customs and other government agencies of both neighboring countries work in the same office and clearance procedures are done at once at the point of entry.
Other developments include the improved issuance of travel documents to facilitate travel within the region by EAC citizens and harmonization of educational curricula, examinations, standards, certification and accreditation of educational and training institutions to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications.
Challenges currently been addressed, include the existence of Non-Tariff Barriers, which call for sustained efforts to remove them and consolidated efforts to ensure peace and security given the heightened terrorist attacks as well as instability which threatens the very impact of the region’s security and economic performance.
Sensitization is a key component of regional Assembly’s work and the EALA’s Strategic Plan anticipates a people-centered approach to widening and deepening of the integration agenda.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 28th January, 2019: The 38th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the East African Community Council of Ministers is currently underway at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The three-day meeting which kicked off today with the Session of Senior Officials of Senior Officials which will be followed by the Session of Permanent/Principal Secretaries/Undersecretaries on Tuesday, 29th January, 2019 and the Ministerial Session on 30th January, 2019.
The 38th Extra-Ordinary Council is being in preparation for the 20th Summit of the EAC Heads of State slated for Friday, 1st February, 2019.
Among the items on the Agenda of the 38th Council are reports on the: Implementation of Previous Decisions of the Council; Office of the Secretary General; Report on Planning and Infrastructure; Productive and Social Sectors; Political Matters; Customs and Trade; Finance and Administration Matters; Other EAC Organs.
Also on the agenda of the Council are: the Report of the Council to the Summit and Consideration of the EAC Calendar of Activities for the period January-June 2019.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th January, 2019: The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, received credential from the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Republic of Tanzania H.E Mohamed Gaber Abulwafa, who is also assigned as the Permanent representative of Egypt to East African Community.
Welcoming the Egyptian Ambassador, the Secretary General briefed him on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process. He described Egypt as an important trading partner for the EAC and praised its outstanding role in promoting negotiations for the Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) between the EAC, COMESA and SADC.
Amb. Mfumukeko and the Egypt envoy discussed several issues including the status of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and also explored areas of collaboration in trade and investment.
On his part, H.E Abulwafa said his country was eager to boost trade and technical cooperation with the EAC Partner States. He informed the Secretary General that Egypt has committed to improve areas of cooperation with the East African Community.
The EAC Secretary General also received the credentials from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H E Mousa Farhang who also serve as representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the East African Community.
The Iranian envoy expressed delight at the accreditation commenting that Iran has very good relations with the EAC member states.
“In spite of the good relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the EAC Partner States, I believe a lot of the potential has not yet explored noting that untapped opportunities abound in trade and investment’’, remarked H .E Farhang
Amb Mfumukeko on his part, informed the Iranian Envoy that EAC is open to investment in areas of infrastructure, especially in roads, railways, ports and energy as well as technical and financial support from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Also present at the accreditation ceremonies was EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge and officials at the EAC Secretariat.
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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.
… pledges EALA’s full co-operation while welcoming new EALS PRESIDENT
East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania, January 21st, 2019:The EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga K Martin, has urged the regional legal fraternity to play a key role in sensitization on the integration process and to act as citizens’ point of checks and balances if the EAC is to make significant gains through a people-centred approach.
This morning, Rt Hon Ngoga met with the new President of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) Advocate (Mr) Willy Rubeya at the Speaker’s Chambers in Arusha. The EALA President was accompanied by the regional Law Society’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Hanningtone Amol.
The EALA Speaker urged the regional law society officials to take a lead role in bringing the legal fraternity and the civil society to speed on matters of regional integration. The Speaker further encouraged EALS to work with Partner States and various stakeholders to ensure speedy realization of approximation of national laws to the Community Acts.
“I see the EALS play a critical role in this aspect given that at minimum, about 600 pieces of Partner States’ acts in the region need to conform to regional legislations”, he added. The Speaker said EALS as an organized professional society was capable of ensuring compliance to the tenets of integration and termed the regional bar Association as a body that can institute checks and balances on the same for the citizens of the region.
Rt Hon Ngoga said the Assembly would cooperate with the EALS and enhance a symbiotic relationship that consults every so often on matters of legislation and pertinent integration areas to improve the lives of East Africans. In attendance was the EALA Senior Public Relations Officer, Bobi Odiko.
The EALS CEO, Hanningtone Amol, reiterated the regional law society had intensified its efforts in strengthening the integration process through advocacy around the EAC. He said the regional law society had been re-designed to make it more responsive to the region.
The EALS, Mr Amol noted, had finalized plans to launch an EAC Integration index, to be released twice a year giving the state of the EAC as well as an avenue and platform to enumerate policy matters. The Chief Executive Officer further remarked that EALS would ieobegntensify public interest litigation and other collaborative areas as part of its mandate to strengthen the institution and make it more robust.
Earlier in the day, the EALS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the President of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), his Lordship Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja and the Registrar of the Court, Hon Yufnalis Okubo.
EALS has in the recent past referenced a number of applications before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). The past cases include Reference No. 1 of 2011 of The East Africa Law Society versus The Secretary General of the East African Community challenging certain provisions in the Common Market Protocol that according to EALS, purport to oust the jurisdiction of the EACJ.
Another case pits The East Africa Law Society versus The Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda and the Secretary General of the East African Community and concerns what the Society calls human rights violations in Uganda during the ‘Walk to Work’ processions. A third case relates to the rendition of Kenyan citizens to Uganda with a view to defining the legal environment for combating transboundary crimes.
The EALS headquartered in Arusha, is the largest organized professional/ civil society dual membership organization in the region with a strong mandate and interest in the professional development of its members. Its membership spans to over fifteen thousand members. The bar associations include the Burundi Bar Association (BBA), Kigali Bar Association (KBA), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Uganda Law Society (ULS), South Sudan Bar Association and the Zanzibar Law Society. EALS enjoys an observer status at the EAC.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK AT THE DUSIT D2 HOTEL AND OFFICE COMPLEX IN NAIROBI, KENYA
It is with great sadness and disbelief that I received the news of the terrorist attack at the Dusit D2 Hotel and office complex in the leafy Nairobi neighbourhood of Westlands on Tuesday 15th January 2019 in which 14 people have been confirmed dead.
On behalf of the East African Community (EAC) and on my own behalf, allow me to offer most profound condolences over the loss of innocent lives. It is hard to find words of comfort to those who lost their beloved ones.
Please convey to the bereaved families and friends our sincere sympathy and wishes for a speedy recovery of those injured.May I take this opportunity to express my strongest condemnation of these and all other terrorist attacks solely aimed at taking human life, creating chaos and dealing a blow to the civilizational values of the world today as well as to the right of every human being to live and express oneself freely.
The entire EAC and I share with the bereaved families, and the Government and people of Kenya, the feelings of great loss at this time of deep sorrow. May the Almighty God Rest their Souls in Eternal Peace.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th January, 2019:The planning meeting for the 12th EAC Armed Forces Command Post Exercise (CPX) USHIRIKIANO IMARA 2019, which is scheduled to take place in the Republic of Uganda towards the end of 2019 is on-going at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The 15th - 18th January 2019 meeting is taking place in accordance with Article 2 of the EAC Protocol on Cooperation in Defence Affairs and pursuant to the EAC Defence Sector Calendar of Activities for the period January - June 2019.
The meeting is expected to develop the methodology of the exercise and the distribution of various themes to Partner States ,come up with administrative and logistics plan as well as shared costs among the Partner States
Furthermore, the meeting is discussing Host Nation responsibilities, transport, accommodation, office expendables, feeding and messing, communication, medical, uniforms, ceremonies, maps and charts.
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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.
….Over USD 100 million mobilized from various Development Partners in2018
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 15th January, 2019: The EAC Secretary General Amb Liberat Mfumukeko has said the region is without doubt, on the right track with significant achievements registered in 2018despite few challenges.
He said “The achievements of the EAC have earned us international recognition as the top performing REC on regional integration overall by internationally renowned institutions like the African Development Bank and the World Bank’’.
Delivering the Secretary General’s New Year Address 2019 to the staff of the EAC Organs and Institutions, Amb. Mfumukeko informed the staff that in 2018, the EAC set a record in resource mobilization. He disclosed to the staff that Over USD 100 million was mobilized from various Development Partners to support various projects and programmes in the Community.
In addition, the EAC and USAID signed a USD 20.5 million agreement for energy projects. This is in addition to the more than USD 200 million mobilized from USAID in the past two and a half years, added Amb Mfumukeko.
Furthermore, the Secretary General disclosed to the staff that the African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Development Fund (ADF) approved USD 2.5 Billion for the implementation of new and ongoing priority infrastructure projects in the EAC region.
The Secretary General outlined other sectorial achievements made in the EAC integration process in 2018 as follows:
In the Infrastructure Sector
The Secretary General said that Partner States continued implementing road and railway projects in the Central and Northern Corridors including the Arusha-Tengeru Dual Carriageway and Bypass Road. He said both roads are part of the Multinational Arusha - Holili/Taveta - Voi Road, which is a successor of the Arusha - Namanga - Athi River Road, both of which have been completed.
The upgrading of the 37 km Ntungamo to Mirama Hills Road to bitumen standard has significantly improved access and speed for freight and passenger services between Uganda and Rwanda, and lower transport costs on the Kampala-Kigali route.
Feasibility Studies and Detailed designs for two multinational road projects have been completed. (i) The first multinational road project will link Tanzania and Burundi through Nyakanazi –Kasulu /Rumonge – Bujumbura. EAC has recently mobilized over USD 340 million from the African Development Bank for construction of this road to be undertaken soon; and (ii) The second road links Tanzania and Rwanda through Lusahunga –Rusumo / Kayonza – Kigali.
In addition, the EAC has provided support to the successful implementation of the Lake Tanganyika Transport Programme which will yield numerous benefits for the riparian states and the communities around the lake.
He added that the EAC through its Institutions such as Lake Victoria Basin Commission(LVBC) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization(LVFO) is implementing numerous projects on Lake Victoria to improve port infrastructure, navigation safety, fisheries and to fight pollution of the Lake.
Customs
The Secretary General informed the staff that the region’s main priority was to attain the full roll-out of intra-trade and imports regime under the Single Customs Territory. A pilot roll-out of exports under the SCT was successfully implemented and 736 multi-level users trained in SCT processes. On One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), Amb Mfumukeko stated that 13 One-Stop-Border Posts were operational in the region. The operationalization and training of personnel at the OSBPs has significantly reduced the time taken by travelers and trucks at the borders from several days to about 15 to 30 minutes on average.
In addition to further enhance trade in the region, the EAC Common External Tariff structure and rates were reviewed and aligned to the global changes of trade and current economic environment in the EAC. Up to 41 Non-Tariff Barriers were eliminated.
Health Sector
Amb Mfumukeko disclosed that in an effort to further improve the lives of the citizenry, the EAC has established Centers of Excellence for Higher Medical Education, Health Services and Research. These Centers of Excellence including;
The East Africa Kidney Institute in Kenya;
The East Africa Heart Institute in Tanzania;
The East Africa Cancer Institute in Uganda;
The East Africa Nutritional Sciences Institute in Burundi;
The East Africa Biomedical Engineering Institute in Rwanda; and
The EAC Regional Center of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization and Health Supply Chain Management in Rwanda.
These Centers of Excellence contribute to the development of relevant and highly skilled workforce in biomedical sciences to meet the Community’s immediate labour market needs and support implementation of EAC’s ‘free’ labour market protocols.
Industries
The Secretary General informed the staff that the Secretariat commenced the process of launching an East Africa Automotive Industry platform as a way of implementing the EAC action plan for the automotive sector. The Secretariat has similarly developed draft strategies for cotton, textiles, and leather sectors that will serve as policy instruments to reverse dependency on export of raw cotton and hides and skins, and facilitate development of local supply base of clothing and footwear, and the creation of jobs and reduction of poverty in the region.
Energy
Amb Mfumukeko said that the implementation of projects under the East African Power Master Plan has shown a positive improvement on power supply. “All the Partner States’ electricity generation capacities exceeding their peak demands will raise to significant levels when committed generation projects in the Partner States are commissioned from about 555MW in 2017 to 1,083MW in 2018 and to about 7,480MW by 2022. In this sector, there has been an unprecedented level of resources mobilized”, noted the EAC Official.
Tourism
Amb Mfumukeko informed the Staff that the EAC Secretariat undertook joint tourism promotion at the major international tourism trade fairs in Berlin and London to increase the visibility of EAC as a single tourism destination, and to promote intra-regional tourism and enhance co-operation among tourism players within the region.
Furthermore, the review of Classification Criteria for Tourism Accommodation Establishments and Restaurants commenced in August 2018. The review aimed at taking into account the international tourism trends and best practices in order to ensure that the region enhances its competitiveness and position itself adequately in the global tourism market.
Agriculture
The Secretary General disclosed that the sector accounts for 25% - 40% of the EAC Partner States’ GDP and is a leading employer for over 80% of the population in the region. The EAC remains strongly committed to support implementation of the Malabo Declaration on Agriculture Growth and Transformation in Africa. In 2018, the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security adopted the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP), which is a key instrument in rallying financial and technical support to spur agricultural transformation in the region.
Furthermore, in 2018, EAC made headways in supporting entrepreneurship in the Agricultural sector. With support of FAO, a program was implemented to build capacity and provide financial support to young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector. Also, in collaboration with the German Federation of Industries, GIZ and the East African Business Council, a program was initiated to mentor and help growth of small and medium enterprises especially in the field of Agro-processing.
Meanwhile, Amb Mfumukeko informed the staff that Auditors General from the EAC Partner States, reviewed and signed the Audited Financial Statements of the Organs and Institutions for the Financial Year 2017/2018.
The Audit Commission issued 18 signed certificates with UNQUALIFIED - CLEAN OPINION for 3 Organs, 8 Institutions and 7 Projects (a total of 18 EAC structures).
He thanked all staff, the Heads of Organs and Institutions, and Directors for the commitment, dedication and professionalism in achieving an Unqualified Audit for the entire Community.
The 2019 New Year’s Address to staff was also attended by the EAC Deputy Secretaries General in charge Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote; Productive and Social Sector, Hon Christophe Bazivamo; and Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 21st December, 2018: The 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Summit of the East African Community Heads of State that was scheduled to take place on Thursday 27th December, 2018, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Arusha, Tanzania, has been postponed.
The Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit is consulting with his fellow Heads of State on the exact date and the Secretariat will communicate in due course.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 13th December, 2018: A first consultative meeting with financial institutions in the Republic of Uganda on the implementation of the 50 Million African Women Speak Networking Platform (50MWS) Project was held on 11th December, 2018 in Kampala, Uganda.
The objective of the meeting was to introduce the project to the financial institutions and to solicit their support as key stakeholders in the implementation of the project.
EAC Director of Social Sectors, Mary Makoffu, reiterated the critical role of financial institutions in the implementation and success of the project.
