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Advocacy on behalf of the Private Sector in the region

With the goal of championing the role of the private sector in East Africa's economic integration, EABC works to stimulate dialogue on key issues, and strengthen the voice of its members in EAC policy making organs.

Business Linkages and Strategic Partnerships

Each year EABC organizes a series of events and activities across the East Africa as a way of introducing members to potential investment opportunities that exist in East African Community.

EABC also collaborates with foreign missions, Export and Investment promotion agencies, as well as leading private sector organization to foster bilateral trade relations and joint ventures between East African companies and those in other strategic markets such as the European Union, India, China, United Arab Emirates, the United States, among others.

Through this program, EABC has been able to:

• Facilitate business linkages with companies in East Africa.

• Support companies with investments and joint ventures in East Africa;

• Engage the East African private sector and government on issues and challenges relevant to foreign direct investment and trade;
• Provide an understanding of East African Common Market related benefits.

• Identify potential partnerships and investment opportunities in East Africa.

Business Development

EABC regularly holds programs and seminars with policy makers and the private sector. We also provide training and advice to members on legislative and regulatory developments in East African Community. We organize annual business forums, public-private sector dialogues and conferences to raise awareness on how the private sector can take advantage of opportunities in East Africa.

Information Services

EABC publishes in-depth policy papers and research studies that provide members with up-to-date information on legislative and regulatory developments in the East African Community vital for your business success. EABC web-portal: www.eabc.info is a one-stop information centre for anyone seeking to do business in East Africa. Through various studies and research such as the annual Business Climate Index, we provide economic forecasts and analysis of the investment climate in East Africa.

East African Business Directory

The East African Business Directory is the first and the most comprehensive business directory in East Africa. Besides listing information on businesses and investment opportunities in East Africa, it offers information on economic performance of different important sectors in the region as well as investment opportunities.
The directory is widely read among corporate executives and public sector officials in East Africa. Published annually, the directory is distributed to more than 100,000 businesses across East Africa and is also available to online visitors at: www.eabc.info

Our priorities in 2011 and beyond:

• Sustained advocacy focused on addressing the various factors that hinder the realisation of ONE Customs territory, including Harmonisation of Domestic Taxes (Excise & VAT); Harmonisation /mutual recognition of Standards; Counterfeits, implementation of EAC Decisions, among others.

• Enhanced advocacy through establishment of issue / sector platforms and targeted research to support evidence based proposals.

• Advocacy towards implementation of the EAC Pillars of Integration eg the Common Market protocol; including developing a business guide to the Common Market  Protocol and issue briefs to Members on status of the various freedoms, elimination of NTBs etc

• Advocacy towards conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreements  (EPAs)

• Advocacy towards enactment of the Tripartite Free Trade Area(FTA)

• Advocacy towards the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework for Regional Private Sector participation in EAC policy making organs.

• Participate and foster private sector interests in the on-going negotiations towards an EAC Monetary Union

• Financial sustainability through seeking increased membership; prudent use of available resources, strengthening relationships with development partners.

• Enhancing the relationship with National Focal Point Organizations to ensure proper coordination with the private sector; supported by regular Committee meetings.

• Increase EABC Membership to ensure that we are fully representative of the private sector and to ensure commonality of message.

• Offer Member services that will help them do their business better; including provide networking and business linkage opportunities.

• Full implementation of the Customs Union

• Increasingly participate in creation of a more enabling business environment resulting in lower cost of doing business – influence government infrastructure decisions, draw attention to importance of SME Strategy and sector specific issues e.g. cement