Nairobi – 29th October 2013
The Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) has received a grant from TradeMark Africa ( TMA ) to institute programs to improve the regulatory environment in the maritime transport sector and build capacity of shippers and their service providers to comply with trade regulations and industry standards. The grant of Ksh. 45 million, which will be spread from 2014-2015, will also see the council implement strategies to increase its sustainability. The signing was witnessed by SCEA CEO Gilbert Langat and TradeMark Africa (TMA) Kenya Country Director, Dr. Chris Kiptoo.
“The Council is excited about the continued partnership with TradeMark Africa through which the Council expects to increase the efficiency of trade facilitation regimes in the region consequently reducing the cost of transport on the Northern Corridor”, said Gilbert Langat adding that the new partnership will safeguard the gains already made from the previous partnership that ended in 2012.
“Shippers Council has grown its reputation as an authoritative representative business organization in the region and continues to be a strong advocate in ensuring there is efficient transport and trade facilitation systems in the country. This support to SCEA is indicant of the progress that SCEA is making in championing for efficient trade in the region”, said Dr. Chris Kiptoo at the signing.
Logistics operations in Eastern Africa are constrained by perennial port congestion, inadequate and unreliable ICT systems, a dilapidated rail system and over-reliance on a road transport system that bears a very high regulatory burden.
To address this, TradeMark Africa (TMA)’s grant will help the Council to build on already made gains in policy research in transport and logistics, and actively participate in high impact forums like the presidential and governors roundtable and port stakeholders’ advisory forums, to influence policy changes in the sectors.
Some key outcomes of this project include Improved regulatory environment in the maritime transport sector and Increased compliance with trade regulations and industry standards by shippers and logistics service providers.
Source: TradeMark Africa(TMA)
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
