ARUSHA, TANZANIA – Lead consultants on stronger East African integration, TradeMark Africa (TMA), are keen on continuing their support during the 2016-2022 period.

“We are very keen on continuing supporting the Integration Agenda,” Frank Matsaert (pictured right), the TMA CEO told Amb. Richard Sezibera, the East African Community Secretary General in talks last week.

He said: “With strong commitment and guidance from the Secretary General and his team, we will be able to carve out key priority activities to carry out in the next phase.”

The meeting took place at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha and was attended by Dr. Enos Bukuku, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, David Stanton, TMA Director General, and ministerial representatives from the five Partner States.

Amb. Sezibera said, “I wish to express my gratitude to TMA for supporting the Integration Agenda.”

“As we move more towards monetary and fiscal integration, we need to strengthen institutional capacities, nurture vibrant trade and enhance financial markets within the region,” he said.

With funding from bilateral donors, especially from the European Union, TMA has been helping the EAC improve the quality of life of East Africans through competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

TMA support, has improved the infrastructure at Mombasa Port; constructed road network between Ntungamo to Mirama Hill in Uganda and Port Reitz to Kipevu West in Kenya; improved on the customs clearance time along the borders and carried out several sensitization campaigns to small cross border traders on the opportunities and facilities of the Integration Process.

According to a statement, despite the challenges since the re-establishment of the EAC, there is no doubt that Partner States have made considerable progress in their efforts to integrate. Efforts have been made in the harmonization of policies, while improvements have been made in the areas of trade, macroeconomic policies, infrastructure, and ICTs. TMA is based in Nairobi, but regional offices in all the EAC member countries.

Source: Busiweek

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.