Private sector and civil society to develop framework of engagement with EAC

Arusha, Tanzania, 7 May 2011: The Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations in the region have agreed to develop a framework for dialogue amongst themselves and the EAC.

The creation of a Working Group comprising representatives from EAC, the East African Business Council, the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum was one of the key action points agreed on at a regional Stakeholder Workshop held this week in Arusha, Tanzania. EAC in collaboration with the GIZ and Trademark East Africa hosted the 3 - 5 May workshop.

The meeting that brought together key actors in the Private Sector and Civil Society from all the EAC Partner States as well as Government representatives discussed modalities for effective and popular participation and involvement in the EAC integration process.

Specific aspects and parameters for an effective dialogue mechanism that were discussed included collaboration among the private sector, civil society and the EAC, inclusiveness of all relevant stakeholders as well as goodwill, legal mandate and implementation process, information and communication channels, monitoring and evaluation tools for the dialogue.

The meeting tasked the Working Group to prepare a log frame of key actions that are needed to develop the framework for consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers. The Working Group, with support from Trade Mark East Africa and GIZ, will also develop the Terms of Reference for the Dialogue Mechanism.

Article 127 of the EAC Treaty obligates the Partner States to provide an enabling environment for the private sector and the civil society to take full advantage of the Community, and the creation of avenues for dialogue with the EAC is in consonance with a key operational principle that requires the Community to be people-centered and market-driven.

The Secretariats of GIZ Arusha and EAC will coordinate the implementation of the workshop’s recommendations, with the latter tasked to organize a stakeholders’ workshop to validate the developed framework for consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers