East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) Headquarters, Kigobe, Bujumbura, Burundi, December, 2018: H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, the 1st Vice President of the Republic Burundi graced the official launch of the Headquarters of the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) located in Kigobe, Bujumbura City, Burundi that took place on 4th December 2018.
Also present were Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo, Minister to the Presidency in charge of EAC Affairs; Hon. Thadee Ndikumana, Minister of Health; Hon. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Minister of High Education; Hon. Freddy Mbonimpa, Mayor of Bujumbura; Hon. Jean Baptiste Nzorironkankuze, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko.
The launch also brought together other Government Officials from Burundi; Diplomatic Corps accredited to Bujumbura; EAC Secretariat and EAC Institutions Executives; Members of EAHRC Commissioners; Stakeholders and Staff.
The 1st Vice President commended the EAC Heads of State Summit for establishing the Institution and the EAC Council of Ministers for allocating Bujumbura City to be the Permanent Headquarters of the Commission. He pledged the Government of Burundi’s full support to the Institution including availing land for the construction of its Headquarter premises, as per the Headquarters Agreement.
Addressing the guests at the launch, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said the operationalisation of the EAHRC commenced in July 2015 but due to various factors, the Commission was able to relocate to Bujumbura in January 2018.
He noted that the relocation was achieved through close collaboration between the East African Community Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Burundi. The Secretary General commended the Government of Burundi for having facilitated the Commission to procure the headquarters and to relocate to Bujumbura. He urged the Republic of Burundi to fast track the process of granting land where to build the permanent headquarters of the EAHRC.
He also commended the Commission for achieving several milestones since its operationalisation and urged the staff to keep the speed and the commitment high.
Amb. Mfumukeko commended the EAHRC for developing a costed Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) Strategic Plan 2019-2028, which will, among others, implement two (2) of the three (3) sub priorities under the priority of Strengthening of Health Research and Development as approved by the 19th Summit of the EAC Heads of States.
He said the Costed Digital Health Strategic Plan had been approved by the 17th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health that directed the East African Health Research Commission Secretariat to mobilize resources to implement the strategy. In this context, the Secretary General called upon development partners to support the Community to implement the digital health strategic plan.
On his part, the EAHRC Executive Secretary, Prof Gibson Kibiki disclosed that the vision of the Commission is a healthy and prosperous community built on evidence-driven policy and practice, which emanate from high quality research.
The mission is to improve health and well-being of the citizens of the Community by generating, accessing, capturing, assessing, synthesizing, sharing, disseminating, and utilising health research and findings, as well as technological development that are suitable and relevant to the Community and its people.
He asserted that the broad objective of the Commission is to promote, facilitate, and coordinate the conduct and application of health research for the improvement of health and for the wellbeing of the people of East Africa.
In regard to Research environment in the EAC Partner States, Prof Kibiki disclosed that the Commission had carried out baseline assessments and needs on ethics review frameworks that revealed many gaps and challenges. In order to address those gaps and challenges, the Commission was developing a work plan with the aim of creating a good research environment for the development of Research and Development.
The Executive Secretary highlighted some of the significant achievements made by the Commission since its operationalisation in July 2015, which include, among others :-
The development of the EAHRC Strategic Plan 2016-2021 approved by EAC Council of Ministers and its operationalisation;
The development of the Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) initiative which is a coordination mechanism that brings together stakeholders from the EAC region, development partners and other key players outside the region to improve health outcomes across the EAC. The initiative is a novel, and ground-breaking strategy to transform the health service delivery and health outcomes in the region through scaled uptake and utilisation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Digital Health Technology is one of the Health Sector priorities approved by EAC Heads of States for the next 10 years;
Establishment of the Young East African Health Research Scientists’ (YEARS’) Forum which is an initiative aiming to empower East African Community (EAC) young researchers to be able to shape the future of research for health in the region, the initiative was approved by 15th meeting of EAC Council of Ministers;
Organization of the East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) which is an EAC biennial event convened in East Africa by the EAHRC in collaboration with a host EAC Partner State;
Establishment of One-Stop Center for Health Information in East Africa operational through the web portal (www.eahealth.org) which is the official comprehensive compendium of health information in East Africa;
Publishing EAHRC Scientific Journals that are contributing to share with the global scientific community the scientific work part of the EAC region; and
Participating in and facilitating a number of other regional programs and projects.
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For more information please contact:
Office of the Executive Secretary East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) East African Community Quartier KIGOBE, Avenue des Etats Unis, n°71 B.P. 350 Bujumbura Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 Bujumbura, BURUNDI Web: http://www.eac.int
About EAHRC
An Institution of the East African Community, is a mechanism for making available to the Community, advice upon all matters of health and health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation and practice; and for related matters. It is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on health Research and Development (R&D).
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 13th December,2018: The Kingdom of Belgium has appointed, Ambassador Peter Van Acker to United Republic of Tanzania, to also serve as Belgium’s Permanent Representative to the East African Community as an observer.
Amb Van Acker presented his letter of credence to EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko, during a brief ceremony held at the EAC headquarters in Arusha.
Amb. Van Acker said that his appointment was out of his government’s commitment to deepen its cooperation with the EAC, noting that the significance of regional integration is not only for East Africans, but also an important source of growth for the continent as well.
The Belgium envoy expressed delight at the accreditation commenting that Belgium has very good relations with the EAC member states.
In his remarks, the EAC Secretary General, Amb Liberat Mfumukeko warmly welcomed the Belgium Envoy to the EAC and briefed him on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process.
He noted that Belgium has an intimate knowledge of the region and added that the EAC is looking forward to scaling up cooperation with the country.
Meanwhile, the EAC Secretary-General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko received the Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mr. Mark Meassick who paid a courtesy visit to him at the EAC Headquarters.
The Kenya and East Africa USAID Director was accompanied by Program Advisor ,Regional Intergovernmental Organization, Miss Mimi Steward.
In receiving the Mission Director, Amb Mfumukeko thanked USAID for its continued support and strong partnership. Reiterating on the importance of regional integration as a means to access regional markets and gain competition advantages in efficiency and productivity outputs.
“These elements can only be realised by having no restrictions on the movement of goods, services, labour and capital within the East Africa“noted Amb. Mfumukeko
Speaking during the discussion Director Meassick acknowledged the efforts that the Community has made to access trade, adding that “this has not only promoted prosperity in those regions, but has also delivered better livelihoods to their communities, thus putting EAC in the forefront as a model for Integration“.
The United States of America through USAID has been a key Development Partner of the EAC integration process to different Project and Programmes including; Assistance Agreement for Comprehensive Regional Development (AA-CRD) to the tune of $23,230,800 from Octo. 2011 to Sept. 2019 and Regional Development Objectives Grant Agreement (RDOAG) to the tune of $30,000,000 from Sept. 2016 to Sept. 2021.
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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, December 13, 2018: The 3rd Meeting of the 2nd Session of the Assembly has commenced in Arusha. The session which commenced on December 11th, 2018 runs through to December 22nd, 2018.
Key reports to be brought to the House during the period include that of the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution on the status of the EAC Partner States refugees in Uganda. The Committee recently completed a tour of the camps in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp (Masindi District in Central Uganda) and at the Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Scheme in (Isingiro District in Western Uganda). The report of the EAC Audited Financial Statements for the FY ended 30th June 2017 is also returning to the House for debate and possible adoption. The report was not adopted by the House at its last sitting in Arusha with the House requesting the Committee on Accounts chaired by Hon Dr Ngwaru Maghembe, to revise the recommendations contained therein to make them more-timely bound and actionable. Another report coming forth is that of the oversight activity of the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment (CTI) on the status of the EAC Customs Single Territory. The Committee recently concluded oversight work on the status of the single customs territory in the Partner States. The Assembly is now expected to receive and debate on the report.
The Sitting is also to be interspersed in Week 1 by rigorous Committee work. The six Committees are;
the Committee on Accounts, the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, the Committee on General Purpose, the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution, the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment, the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges.
The whole House shall also receive a presentation by the East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum who in conjunction with the EAC Department of Political Federation met to discuss pertinent issues on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA
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.
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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.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 11th December, 2018: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the East African Community have been advised to patent their products and innovations to prevent theft of the same by unscrupulous persons.
Uasin Gishu Senator, Professor Margaret Kamar, further said that it was only through patenting that East African products would not be misused and abused.
Prof. Kamar gave the example of the kiondo basket, which was a Kenyan innovation that had been patented in Japan, adding that any Kenyan who wanted to produce the same had to ask for permission from the patent owners.
Prof. Kamar said Kenya was one of the first countries in Africa to pass intellectual property laws and urged Kenyan innovators to take advantage of this law to protect their products and ideas against theft.
She said value addition to minerals and raw agricultural produce was a must if African countries were to reap maximum benefits from its exports their trading partners in Europe, North America and Asia.
Prof. Kamar called for the elimination of middlemen so that African products could directly access markets in Europe and the USA, adding that EAC governments should also promote African apparel and textiles by making it mandatory for employees to wear the same for at least three days of the week.
“Our future in EAC is to promote our own goods. The balance of trade with the outside world is still very huge and we need to bridge that gap,” said Prof. Kamar.
Senator Kamar was speaking at the Eldoret Sports Club grounds in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, when she presided over the official closing ceremony of the 19th EAC Annual Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition. The exhibition opened its doors on 2nd December, 2018 and drew more than 1,500 exhibitors from five EAC Partner States, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.
In her remarks, the Deputy Director of Trade in the Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Cooperatives, Kenya, Ms Gladys Kinyua, called on EAC Partner States to establish One Stop Shops for MSMEs in the capital cities to enable them to move their products freely within the region.
Ms Kinyua, who represented the Principal Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, further urged the EAC Secretariat to create a website where MSMEs in the region could market their products to the world freely.
Speaking at the event, the Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee for Trade, Dr. Emily Kogos, urged EAC governments to support MSMEs saying that they were the foundation for industrialisation in East Africa.
The Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Al Hajj Rashid Kibowa, described the 19th Exhibition as the best and biggest ever, adding that innovators had sold their products, struck deals and built networks with some procuring orders for delivery.
“We take MSMEs seriously because they will be the starting point for investment and industrialisation in the region,” said Al Hajj 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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 8th December, 2018: The 12th meeting of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security (SCAFS) concluded on Friday 7th December in Arusha, Tanzania. The meeting reviewed progress made in implementing the previous decisions and directives of the Council and Sectoral Council and also considered other issues of regional importance in the area of Agriculture and Food Security.
In accordance with the EAC rules of procedure, Hon. Rashid Ali Juma, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries of Zanzibar (United Republic of Tanzania) chaired the meeting at the request of Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of Uganda who was not able to attend the meeting in person owing to a disruption in his flight schedule. The Rapporteur was Mr. Jean Claude Musabyimana representing the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of the Republic of Rwanda.
The meeting was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Hon. Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana; Burundi’s Minister in the Ministry to the Office of the President Responsible for East African Community Affairs,Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo; Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation,Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri; South Sudan’s Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec; and United Republic of Tanzania’s Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Luhaga Joelson Mpina.
Senior officials from the Partner States and the EAC Secretariat were also in attendance.
Addressing the Ministerial session, Hon. Rashid Ali Juma commended the Honourable Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries from the Partner States for monitoring and keeping under constant review the implementation of the previous decisions and directives of the Council and Sectoral Council in regard to Agriculture and Food Security in the region.
Hon. Rashid Ali Juma reiterated that the overall objectives of co-operation in the agricultural sector were the achievement of food security and rational agricultural production within the Community.
On his part,the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo noted that agriculture was an important sector in the Community and that many issues on the agenda of the meeting such as food security, SPS, pests and diseases, farm inputs, agricultural productivity, irrigation, and sustainable land management, were all provided for in the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
Hon. Bazivamo observed that the EAC region should work hard to eliminate hunger by 2025 and create jobs for the youth and women. He stressed promotion of fertilizers and irrigation in order to increase agricultural production and urged Partner States to pay special attention to areas of weak performance in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)/Malabo Biennial Review report including the need to increase financial allocation to the agricultural sector and strengthen data collection and collation mechanisms.
Highlights of some of the Decisions and Directives of the 12th Meeting of the Sectoral Council on Agriculture and Food Security:
Under Food and Nutrition Security Status
The Sectoral Council:-
●Directed Partner States that do not have strategic national food reserves to establish the same; and
●Directed the Secretariat to develop a harmonized EAC regional harvesting calendar for staple crops including wheat, sugarcane, maize, rice, cassava and sorghum as a monitoring tool for food security.
Aflatoxin Prevention and Control
The Sectoral Council:-
Directed Partner States to prioritize aflatoxin prevention and control programs as part of national agriculture, food and nutrition security programs and investment plans;
Directed Partner States to utilize EAC Aflatoxin policy briefs to engage the legislature on aflatoxin prevention and control;
Directed the Secretariat to develop a Bill on aflatoxin prevention and control in the EAC region;
Directed Partner States to enhance monitoring and allocate resources for procurement and distribution of simple Aflatoxin contamination test tools to the farmers at affordable prices;
Urged Partner States to strengthen coordination among key sectors in particular agriculture, health, trade and environment in aflatoxin mitigation efforts;
Urged Partner States to promote aflatoxin prevention and control measures including biocontrol and nixtamalization technologies; and
Directed Partner States to strengthen enforcement of existing food and feed standards for prevention and control of aflatoxin.
Harmonization of Farm Inputs
The Sectoral Council:-
Adopted the draft EAC harmonized Seed and Plant Varieties Bill; and
Directed the Secretariat to submit the draft EAC Seed and Plant Varieties Bill to the next Council of Ministers for consideration;
Under Rice Value Chain in EAC
The Sectoral Council:-
Directed the Secretariat and Partner States to establish a mechanism for computing market information on rice deficit and surplus status alongside other food crops;
Directed Partner States to harmonize and strengthen coordination among agencies involved in the collection and computation of data on rice;
Directed Partner States to prioritize awareness creation on the potential utilization of rice by-products in order to raise incomes of value chain actors;
Directed Partner States to commit to eliminate Non-Tariff Barriers impeding rice trade within and across the Partner States; and
Directed the Secretariat to request Partner States to submit names of their nominees to serve on the EAC Regional Rice Platform by 15thDecember, 2018.
Under EAC-FAO project on promoting youth employment in the agricultural sector
The Sectoral Council:-
Directed Partner States to consider adoption of hands-on incubation training in agribusiness and sustainable agro-ecological practices to outscale the EAC-FAO initiative on increasing youth employment in agriculture; and
Directed Partner States to implement the Mutual Recognition Procedures for Marketing Authorizations of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Products.
Under Livestock and Fisheries Development
The Sectoral Council:-
Directed the secretariat to establish a regional coordination mechanism for management of transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases;
Directed the Secretariat and Partner States to establish and operationalize emergency prepadness and response mechanisms for animal and zoonotic diseases; and
Directed Partner States to align their national livestock policies to the EAC regional livestock policy.
Regional Strategy for Management of Transboundary Animal and Zoonotic Diseases
The Sectoral Council:-
Noted the on-going efforts to develop a regional strategy on management of transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases;
Directed the secretariat to establish a regional coordination mechanism for management of transboundary animal and zoonotic diseases;
Directed the Secretariat and Partner States to establish and operationalize emergency prepadness and response mechanisms for animal and zoonotic diseases; and
Directed Partner States to align their national livestock policies to the EAC regional livestock policy.
Management of Fall Army Worm (FAW)
The FAW is the latest transboundary crop pest in the EAC and Africa continent as a whole. It has affected mainly the maize crop in all the East African Community (EAC) Partner States and beyond, causing yield losses to this major staple food crop. Regional Economic Communities, development partners, and national governments have provided support for FAW management that focus on awareness creation, situational updates, emergency preparedness and rapid response for management of FAW and other transboundary plant pests and diseases.
The Sectoral Council:-
Directed Partner States to prioritize application of Integrated Pest Management in the control of the FAW and other transboundary crop pests and diseases;
Directed the Secretariat to develop a regional action plan on FAW by March 2019; and
Directed the secretariat to establish a regional coordination mechanism for management of transboundary plant pests and diseases.
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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, Bujumbura, Burundi, 6th December, 2018: The East African Legislative Assembly posted mixed results as the Games entered Day 5 in Bujumbura yesterday.
In football, EALA got off to a good start by defeating Parliament of Kenya 2-1 in an entertaining match at the Centre Technique, Ngagara in Bujumbura. Ahmed Mwapambe and Wycliff Ketto scored the all-important goals for the victors while Senator Cleophas Malala reduced the deficit for the Parliament of Kenya.
Both teams started the game on a high note with end to end action. Striker, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, could have given his team an early lead but failed to latch on to a pass by Hon David Gikaria. On the opposite side, star striker, Ibrahim Jamal upon receiving a pass from Hon Julius Maganda beat the defence but shot wide with the goalkeeper Rogers Okwiri beaten. The EALA striker was, however, carried off the pitch with a suspected collar bone injury after a collision with a Parliament of Kenya player.
Ahmed Mwapambe was later to beat Rogers Okwiri to give EALA the lead after tapping in the ball, moments after Kenya’s goalkeeper blocked a rasping shot by Hon Kim Gai. In the second half, EALA resumed forcefully with the striking force making constant raids on the Parliament of Kenya backline. It paid off when Wyclif Ketto beat the defense line to unleash a block-buster in to the roof of the net for the second goal.
In other games of the day, Parliament of Uganda (women) won Parliament of Kenya by 3 Sets to 0. The victors won the first two sets 25-13 before taking 25-17 win to seal the lead.
In the second women’s match of the day, Parliament of Kenya beat EALA 3 sets to 0 (25-10) (25-5) and (25-19).
In men’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi beat EALA 3 sets to 0 scoring (25-16), (25-22) and (25-16). In netball, Parliament of Kenya won EALA 44-12 in a one-sided match.
More games are expected on December 6 as Burundi and Uganda play in the first netball match before Parliament of Kenya lock horns with Parliament of Tanzania in the second match.
Later in the afternoon, the Parliament of Uganda will face off with Parliament of Burundi in football inn the first match, before EALA takes the field to battle out with Parliament of Tanzania.
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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.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th December, 2018: Intra-regional trade within the East African Community is currently very low standing at just less than 20%.
The Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Alhajj Rashid Kibowa, said that this was extremely low compared to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) where intra-regional trade levels stand at 46% and the EU at approximately 67%.
Alhajj Kibowa disclosed that from next year onwards, the exhibitors and their stalls at the Annual EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition and Symposium will not be arranged according to the Partner States but according to product sectors to enhance information sharing, inter-sectoral/product benchmarking, and striking business deals amongst the exhibitors.
In the previous and ongoing 19th exhibition, exhibitors and their stalls have been arranged according to Partner States and in alphabetical order.
Alhajj Kibowa, who was addressing participants attending a symposium on Products Value Addition taking place on the sidelines of the 19th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition at the Eldoret Sports Club, decried the low levels of intra-EAC trade.
“Partner States need to take advantage of regional integration initiatives like this Jua Kaliexhibition in order to scale up trade amongst themselves, otherwise the statistic is still lower but with a lot of potential for expansion,” he said.
The Director further said that that unlike the earlier exhibitions, the ongoing exhibition and future ones would be complemented with a strong daily symposium purposely to empower the exhibitors with knowledge, skills and attitudinal change needed for the growth of the informal sector.
Earlier, the Managing Director of J&L Enterprises, Mrs. Louise Judicate Mosha made a presentation on Product Value Edition to an enthusiastic audience composed mainly of women entrepreneurs from the Partner States at the exhibition.
Mrs. Mosha, a Tanzanian who owns the Dar es Salaam-based Company dealing with Agro-processing and Handicrafts, took the participants through her practical experience in product value addition and becoming a successful entrepreneur.
She said J&L Enterprises started by making candles but has now graduated and spread its product chain to include agro-processing and handicrafts.
Answering questions raised on packaging, value addition and standards by the participants, the EAC Principal Standards Officer, Mrs. Stella Apolot, said that packaging was an integral part of value addition as it contributes to the safety, quality, acceptance and competitiveness of the products before the consumers.
She said packaging technology ranges from simple to complex ones in terms of the safety requirements and design, amongst others, and that products have different packaging requirements to ensure that the design is right and the quality is right in protecting the integrity of the product being packaged.
“Packaging industry in the EAC is less developed and remains a big challenge for most small and medium enterprises in identifying the right packaging and the costs involved,” said Mrs. Apolot.
On Food Additives, the EAC Principal Standards Officer said that they play a big role in value addition to achieve customer quality requirements. As component of food, food additives are subject to pre-market approval by by experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate their safety under the conditions of intended use.
“Food additives, despite being a necessity in value addition, may trigger allergic reactions and possibly lead to other serious health issues” and therefore MSMEs need to know the recommended food additives and quantities for each product and the information is readily available at Codex Allimentarius Commision website http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/list-standards/jp/; “Codex Standards for Food Additives,” said the Standards expert.
The daily symposium continues with the Republic of Rwanda expected to make a presentation on Standards, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) on Thursday, 6th December, 2018; Uganda will present on Benefits and opportunities from EAC integration to SMEs on Friday, 7th December, 2018; Burundi will tackle EAC Rules of Origin on Saturday, 8th December, 2018; while the Republic of South Sudan will present on MSMEs development on Sunday, 9th December, 2018.
Earlier on 3rd December, the Republic of Kenya made a presentation on cross-border trade; simplified trade regime and tackling non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Kenya’s Anti Counterfeit Agency also made a presentation on the same day. The United Republic of Tanzania made a presentation on Product Value Addition.
The daily symposium starts at 10.00 am and continues until midday at the Show ground.
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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, 5th December, 2018: Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization, Trade and Cooperatives, Hon. Peter Munya,on Tuesday, 4th December, 2018 graced the official opening ceremony of the 19th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition taking place at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
The 19th edition of the annual EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition, which is being held under thethemeSupport Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Build East Africa,has attracted over 1,400 artisans from five EAC Partner States, namely Burundi, Uganda, United Tanzania, Rwanda and the host country Kenya.
Addressing government officials, EAC Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Kenya, and artisans present, Hon. Munya said that the main objective of the EAC Jua Kali/NguvuKazi exhibition was to provide a platform for enhancing marketing linkages for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector products and services within the region so as to enable them access the existing regional market with a population of 150m people.
The Minister noted that this year’s theme, “Support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Build East Africa” augurs well for the region’s policy of supporting MSMEs get market within and beyond EAC borders.
He reaffirmed the six Partner States’ commitment to the EAC regional integration initiatives, like the ongoing exhibition, adding that the key component for the integration agenda was doing business together and expanding the market of East Africa, as well as removing the barriers to trade.
The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that Partner States were addressing the challenges impacting the growth and development of MSMEs and industries in the EAC.
He said that, for instance, all Partner States were putting in place elaborate and clear supportive policy frameworks to, among other things, empower and create MSMEs Authorities or Ministries that will oversee the development and promotion of small enterprises.
He also said that some Partner States were now enabling the MSMEs access affordable capital from financial institutions and putting in place mechanism for accessing their (SMEs) products by customers.
“We have in place an elaborate training and capacity building programmes for the MSMEs,” disclosed the Cabinet Secretary.
Addressing the same forum, the EAC Director General, Customs and Trade, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, commended Uasin Gishu County for hosting the 19th edition of the annual exhibition.
Mr. Bagamuhunda who was representing the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that hosting and providing a lot of support to this year’s Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition in Eldoret was a true demonstration and commitment by the Republic of Kenya to the EAC integration agenda.
The Director General disclosed that the EAC was putting more emphasis is being put on the development of the informal sector as they (MSMEs) are the engines of growth in East Africa.
“MSMEs are the incubators of industrial growth in our region,” said Mr. Bagamuhunda, adding that that capacity building was ongoing for MSMEs in South Sudan. He expressed hope that South Sudan will participate in the 20th edition of the annual exhibition.
He hailed the ever-increasing participation of women in the annual event and said the Secretariat had put in place an elaborate programme targeting women in business in the bloc.
The Director General commended the Partner States, Confederation of Informal sector Organization, Regional and National Steering Committees, and the EAC Secretariat staff for the successful organization of the event.
On his part, the Governor of Uasin Gishu County, Mr. Jackson Mandago, praised the EAC Heads of State for making it easier for East Africans to trade amongst themselves and move freely across the borders.
He urged Kenyans especially those in his county to take advantage of the free movement of goods and people to enhance the trade, tourism and interaction with other Partner States.
“Jua Kali/Nguzu Kazi” is about people to people integration, take advantage of the good infrastructure – roads, rails, etc – to travel and explore East Africa. The products of East Africa are good, let us increase trade among ourselves, we have sufficient markets for our products, there is no need of going outside EAC or Africa,” said Mr Mandago.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Principal Secretary State Department of Trade, Dr. Chris Kiptoo and his East African Community counterpart, Dr. Susan Koech, the Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Alhaji Rashid Kibowa, and members of the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organization (CISO-EA).
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
To support the role of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector in the growth of the regional economy, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the EAC Partner States and the Confederation of Informal Sector Organization East Africa (CISO-EA), has organized the annual exhibitions since 1999. The exhibitions act as strategic avenues for promoting the sector’s products, transfer of technologies, and promotion of the regional integration process.
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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, Bujumbura, Burundi: December 4th 2018:Day 4 of the Inter-Parliamentary Games recorded mixed results in Bujumbura, Burundi. In football, Parliament of Uganda defeated Parliament of Kenya 1-0 in a tough match played at the Centre Technique du Football in Ngagara, Bujumbura.
The match started on a high note with both teams displaying an exciting game. Uganda’s Striker, Brian Arinaitwe, Hon Muhammad Nsereko and Hon Dennis Obua made good passes but found the backline of Hon Dan Wanyama, Jorum Barasa and Hon OtiendeAmollo proved a tough nut to crack. The tide turned mid-way when the referee awarded Parliament of Uganda a penalty after Hon David Gikaria was adjudged to have felled Hon Peter Ogwang in the box. Hon Muhammad Nsereko scored the resultant kick to give his team the lead.
The game was halted for several minutes when the referee ManirakizaBetrand gave a red card to Parliament of Kenya goalkeeper, Rogers Okwirri for handling the ball outside the penalty box, a decision Kenya protested against. On resumption, a 10-man Kenya side piled pressure to equalize but the defence line of Parliament of Uganda remained solid.
In men’s volleyball Parliament of Kenya has defeated Parliament of Tanzania 3 sets to 0 in an exciting match at the MINISPORT Grounds. Kenya won the first set 25-17 before grabbing a slim 25- 20 lead in the second set.In the third set, Kenya won 25-16 to seal the match. In the second match played at the same venue
In netball, Parliament of Tanzania defeated EALA 87-8 in a one-sided netball match at the ENS Grounds.In the first match of the day, Parliament of Uganda defeated Parliament of Kenya53-Kenya 14.
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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.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th December14, 2018: The 6th East African Community University Students debate on regional integration kicked off today at the Nkrumah Hall, Julius Nyerere Campus of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking when he officially opened the debate, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge, cautioned young people within the EAC against falling victim to migrant smuggling as they look for greener pastures across national borders.
Mr Njoroge said that crafty persons and cartels had taken advantage of young people seeking better opportunities out of their countries.
Mr Njoroge said that the problem of migrant smuggling had been compounded by insufficient systems and corruption, which hinder national and international efforts to combat transnational and cross-border crimes.
The DSG said that as the integration deepens, there was an overwhelming movement of people across the borders, adding that this free movement comes with various challenges including trafficking of persons, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and terrorism.
He said that the EAC was undertaking various initiatives to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and enhance their participation in moving the regional integration process forward.
A total of 30 students from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are participating in the debate that is aimed at picking a Youth Ambassador and Deputy Youth Ambassador from each EAC Partner State. There were no participants from South Sudan.
The theme of this year’s debate is: Border management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in the East African Community – Role and Implications of the youth.
“Our Youth Ambassadors are a tested group of young leaders. The selection process is highly competitive and subsequent capacity building programme ensures that the youth leaders are well nurtured and groomed for furthering personal and regional development of EAC,” said Mr Njoroge.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Cuthbert Kimambo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the debate was a noble initiative that could be used to bring young people to discuss pertinent issued concerning the EAC.
“The University of Dar es Salaam firmly believes that the youth are a key stakeholder in the entire EAC integration process and we need to engage them in matters of East African integration at each step of the way,” said Prof. Kimambo.
Prof. Kimambo said the debate was a perfect venue for identifying young people who were passionate about the integration process and who would in turn sensitize their peers on the EAC integration process.
In his remarks, Mr. Esayas Abebe, the Head of Programme, GIZ Support to the African Union Border Programme, said the debate was a smart endeavour by the EAC to inclusively involve its citizens in order to strengthen the sense of “East African-ness” of its young citizens who are both the present and future of the region.
Mr Abebe said the debate would also inspire policies about tackling cross-border crimes when building an integrated region.
Mr Abebe said that 27 million young people leave their countries of birth to seek employment abroad as international migrants.
In his remarks, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Tanzania and EAC, Mr. Jörg Herrera, acknowledged the significance of border management in integration processes. He further emphasized the long standing commitment of Germany in technical and financial support towards integrated border management.
The Deputy Ambassador noted the importance of involving the youth in the effort to combat migrant smuggling and corruption through effective border management. "The youth shall raise awareness about the value of regional integration within the community and form and foster the integration process within the EAC in order to pass on this cooperative spirit to future generations," noted Ambassador Herrera.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The Summit of EAC Heads of State in 2008 decided on the deepening sensitization and awareness creation for greater political will as a means for realization of the East African Political Federation. University Students Debate and sensitization was adopted as one of the strategies.
The 1st EAC University Students Debate on regional integration was held in August 2012. The aim of the debates is to provide a regional platform to promote dialogue among university students and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives.
As an outcome of the debates, two youth are appointed to represent each country as EAC Youth Ambassador and Deputy Youth Ambassador. These Youth Ambassadors act as focal points in their respective universities, collaborate with the EAC Secretariat in sensitizing their peers on the EAC integration process, benefits and challenges. The EAC Council of Ministers declared the EAC University Students Debate an annual event.
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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.
