About the Conference
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About the Conference
The EAC High-Level Conference on regional trade integration is convened as part of the activities to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the East African Community and the 15th Anniversary of Implementing the EAC Customs Union. The theme of the conference is “ENHANCING TRADE INTEGRATION IN THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY”. The conference is expected to attract over 300 key players from the East African Region, International & Regional Economic Communities, exhibitors, stakeholders and Government Officials.
The objectives of the conference are:
- to showcase the state of play of the EAC Customs Union as part of the East African Community 20th Anniversary and 15th Anniversary of the implementation of the Customs Union in the EAC;
- discuss and chart out policy, strategic direction and positioning of the EAC in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); and
- build linkages of the key players to generate practical interventions to address Barriers to Trade, Investment and Industry.
The Conference will offer an opportunity to assess the progress, discuss challenges and propose way forward for the full-fledged Customs Union. It will provide a platform to examine the adequacy of the legal, institutional and policy framework, the resource and technological capacity as well as collaboration with the private sector in defining the future of the Customs Union as a pivot in the integration of the region.
Key note speakers in the areas of Customs and Trade will be drawn from private & public sectors; and regional and international institutions. The conference will further attract policy makers, academia, and professionals knowledgeable in matters of regional integration.
Expected Participants
The conference will draw participation from International Organizations including the World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), African Union Commission (AUC); the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Development Partners/Donors, sister regional economic communities as well as the academia. Also present will be representatives from Customs administrations, other government agencies, corporate companies that are involved in providing services to the trade sector directly or indirectly, including telecommunication companies, technology providers, insurance companies and banks, importers and exporters, national and international transport companies, shipping lines and clearing agents among others.
Conference Topics
Conference will feature discussions on the following topical areas:
- A Reflection on the implementation of the East African Community Customs Union. What has worked and what has not.
- Position of Women and Youth in Business in the East African Community
- Containing illicit trade in the East African Community; A call for partnership between the public and the private sector
- Role of Regional Economic Communities in the context of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Digital economy and e-commerce in East African Community
- Elevating Small Business Enterprises as contributors to East African Community economies
- Infrastructure development in East African Community as a driver for trade and industry
- Resolving trade Trade Disputes in East African Community
- Impact of the Customs Union on investment in East Africa
- Creating value chains in manufacturing and agricultural production in East African Community: A paradigm shift
- Integrating South Sudan in the East African Community
- The Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Trade Integration in the East African Community
- Establishing Trade Preferences with developed Economies
- Private Sector as a key driver of the East African Community integration
Exhibition
Exhibition Area & Standard Booth
- 2 X 2 Sq Meters, lighting, socket, complete with table, two seats, socket, dustbin.
- Booths located directly opposite the main conference hall.
- Includes participation of 2 delegates.
- Highly visible signage directing delegates to the exhibition hall.
Exhibition Fees
- East Africam Business Council Members (EABC) – US$ 700 per standard Booth
- Government/EAC Institutions - US$700 per standard Booth
- Other Companies/Organizations/Institutions - US$1,000 per standard Booth
- Interested Exhibitors are requested to fill the registration form and contact Zephania Shaidi on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Mbithe Yoma on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Programme
Day 1 - September 25th 2019
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DAY ONE SEPTEMBER WEDNSDAY 25th 2019 |
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08:00 - 08:30 |
Registration |
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08:45 – 09:00 |
East African Community Anthem |
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09:00 - 09:05 |
Welcoming Remarks, East African Community Deputy Secretary General |
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09:05 - 09:10 |
Remarks by the Chairperson of the East African Business Council |
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09:10 - 09:15 |
Remarks by the Chair of the Council |
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09:15 - 09:35 |
Chief Guest |
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09:35 - 10:40 |
Group Photo & Tour of the Exhibitions |
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10:40 - 10:50 |
VIP Press Conference (15 Minutes) and Networking Health Break |
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11:00 - 12:30 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 1: MODERATOR: Dr. Joy Kategekwa, UNCTAD as Head, Regional Office for Africa PANELISTS:
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12:40 – 13:40 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (A) TOPIC NO 2 (A): MODERATOR: Hon Ms. Annet Semuwemba, Deputy Executive Director, Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), World Trade Organization (WTO) PANELISTS:
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12:40 – 13:40 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (B) TOPIC NO 2 (B): MODERATOR: Ms. Mary Baine - Programme Manager, African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) PANELISTS:
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13:40 – 13:50 |
Launch of the EAC One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Performance Measurement Tool. |
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13:50 – 14:30 |
LUNCH BREAK |
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14:30 – 15:45 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 3: MODERATOR: Dr. Caiphas Chekwoti, Ph.D, Trade Policy Expert, TRAPCA PANELISTS:
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15:55 – 17:25 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (C) TOPIC NO 4 (A): MODERATOR: Mr. Nesbitt Nicholas, Chairman of the East African Business Council PANELISTS:
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15:55 – 17:25 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (D) TOPIC NO 4 (B): MODERATOR: Ms. Mary Wamae, Executive Director, Equity Bank PANELISTS:
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17:25 – 17:40 |
COFFEE AND NETWORKING |
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19:00 – 21:30 |
GALA DINNER (BY INVITATION ONLY) |
Day 2 - September 26th 2019
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DAY 2: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26th 2019 |
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09:00 – 10:30 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 5: MODERATOR: Mr. Philip Wambugu, Consultant & Former Director Infrastructure, East African Community Secretaria PANELISTS:
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10:30 – 11:00 |
HEALTH BREAK |
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11:00 – 13:00 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (A) TOPIC NO 6 (A): MODERATOR: His Lordship, Justice Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, President of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) PANELISTS:
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11:00 – 13:00 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (A) TOPIC NO 6 (B): MODERATOR: Dr. Margreth Chemengich, Consultant, Trade Expert PANELISTS:
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13:00 – 14:00 |
LUNCH BREAK |
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14:00 – 15:30 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 7: MODERATOR: Mr. Faustin Mbundu, Managing Director, CafeRwa PANELISTS:
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15:40 – 17:10 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (C) TOPIC NO 8 (A): MODERATOR: Mr.Richard Kamajugo, Chief Operating Officer, TradeMARK East Africa PANELISTS:
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15:40 – 17:10 |
BREAK AWAY SESSION (D) TOPIC NO 8 (B): MODERATOR: Professor Elijah Bitange Ndemo, Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi, Republic of Kenya PANELISTS:
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17:10 – 17:40 |
COFFEE AND NETWORKING |
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17:40 – 19:30 |
COCKTAIL AND LAUNCH OF EU EAC MARKUP WEB SITE BY INVITATION |
Day 3 - September 27th 2019
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DAY 3: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27th 2019 |
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09:00 - 10:30 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 9: MODERATOR: Mr. Francois Kanimba, Former Minister of Trade & Industry, Republic of Rwanda PANELISTS:
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10:30 – 11:00 |
HEALTH BREAK |
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11:00 – 12:30 |
PLENARY TOPIC NO 10: MODERATOR: Peter Mathuki, Executive Director, East African Business Council PANELISTS:
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12:30 - 13:00 |
Recomendations Way Forward - MC. |
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13:00 - 13:30 |
Closing Remarks: Hon. Peter Gatirau Munya, Cabinet Secretary, Trade and Industrialization, Republic of Kenya |
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13:30 – 14:30 |
LUNCH
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CONTACT
For any additional information, confirmation of participation and feedback, kindly contact the EAC Secretariat through the following e-mail addresses:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SPONSORS
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