Private sector to play an integral role in EAC

Arusha, Tanzania, May 30, 2011. The East African Business Council and the East African Community Secretariat have agreed on framework for regular consultation that will see the private sector play a greater role in East African Community integration process.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Dr. Richard Sezibera and the Executive Director of East African Business Council, Ms. Agatha Nderitu, at a meeting held last week in Arusha, Tanzania, agreed to hold bi-annual meetings between the EAC Secretariat and the business community to monitor progress and discuss sticking issues regarding EAC integration process.

EABC and EAC will also hold a high-level business forum, as one of the activities leading up to the EAC Heads of State Summit, where the high level public sector official and EAC Ministers would engage with private sector on key issues affecting the business environment in the region. The forum is expected to focus on specific issues to enable policy makers take strategic decisions on how to improve the business environment in the region.

Dr. Sezibera reiterated that his interest to work with the Private sector was strategic in the sense that for the community and the integration to work the business community needed to be involved, committed and this should translate into more money and better lives for the people.

The Secretary General also informed the meeting that he had requested the directorate of Customs and Trade to produce a quarterly report on the state of the Non-Tariff Barriers in member states to be done jointly with EABC. The report which will include a section on experiences from the business community will be submitted to EAC Council of Ministers and other relevant policy organs for action.

He said he is also interested in hearing from businesses with cross-border investments about their experiences in doing business across East African Community borders.

He also urged the private sector to become more engaged in infrastructure development in the EAC. “Members of the business community have not been so much involved probably due to inadequate financial resources and lack of awareness,” Dr. Sezibera said. EAC is currently developing a framework on Public-Private-Partnerships which is expected to increase private sector participation in infrastructure projects.

He indicated that he is interested in supporting women entrepreneurs to fully participate and take advantage of opportunities in the EAC. EAC Secretariat is planning to hold a conference focussing on women entrepreneurship to take place in Kigali, Rwanda between 5th and 6th August, 2011.

The meeting also discussed mechanism for involving private sector in pre-budget consultations at a regional level.

About EABC
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the umbrella organization of the private sector in East Africa. Established in 1997, EABC is at the forefront of facilitating private sector participation in the integration process of the East African Community (EAC). EABC works closely with East African Community Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly, governments, regional economic communities, multilateral groups and the business community to improve the region’s trade and investment climate.

For more information contact:
Godwin Muhwezi Bonge, Communications Officer, East African Business Council, P O Box 2617, Arusha, Tanzania, Cell: +255 766196025/+256753080571
Website: www.eabc.info