NL - 12 - 2013.pubFUND
The Finnish Government has granted 3 Million Euros to support
various regional integration activities through the EAC Partnership
Fund. The Grant Agreement was signed on 10 December 2013 by EAC
Secretary General Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera and Finnish Ambassador
to the United Republic of Tanzania who is also accredited to the
EAC bloc, Her Excellency Amb. Sinikka Antila during a ceremony held
at the Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania. “It is a great
pleasure for me to make the commitment for 3 additional years, it
is worth noticing that after DFID, Finland is the second biggest
supporter to the Fund since 2008,” remarked Finnish Ambassador
According to the signed agreement between the Government of Finland
and the East African Community, the Government of Finland shall
make available on a grant basis and subject to annual parliamentary
approval in Finland, a contribution amounting up to a
(Continued on page 2)
Germany Contributes 24
EAC-EU Hold Political
Oversight of EAC Programmes and Projects in Uganda
EAC-COMESA-SADC
Nairobi Hosts 14th EAC
President Kenyatta
e-EAC EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013
Newsletter
2
maximum of 3 Million Euros to support the EAC Partnership Fund
during the period of 2013-2016. The first payment of 1 Million
Euros shall be made against a written request upon the entry into
force of the agreement. Subsequent payments shall be made in
accordance with the actual progress of the activities and on the
basis of the financial needs for the coming period, against a
written request. EAC Secretary General Amb. Richard Sezibera
thanked the Government of Finland for their continued support in
the Partnership Fund. He commended Finnish Government for see- ing
the need to intensify development co-operation within the EAC. Amb
Sezibera said that the signing of multi-year agreements with
development partners made it possible to predict the con- tribution
to the Partnership Fund and therefore facilitated the development
of EAC multi-year plans. EAC Secretary General also on 10 December
2013, held a High Level Dialogue with the Heads of Missions and
supporters of the EAC Partnership Fund. The dialogue between the
two parties focused on the on-going institutional review, financing
of the
Community, trade and investment, the EAC Partnership Fund,
negotiations with South Sudan to join the Community, signing of the
EAC Monetary Union Protocol, Economic and COMESA-EAC- SADC
Tripartite talks EAC Chief briefly informed the Heads of Missions
about EAC’s move towards a Single Customs Territory by 2014 was
high on the region’s agenda; as well as implementation of the
Common Market Protocol. He added the region was also focusing on
infrastructure development and the ratification of the Monetary
Union Protocol, signed by the EAC Heads of State on 30 November
2013 in Kampala, Uganda. In attendance were representatives from
UK/DFID, Germany, Finland, France, Sweden, Norway, European Union,
USA, World Bank, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Denmark, Turkey,
Netherlands, among others. The EAC Partnership Fund is a basket
fund mechanism with annual contributions from Development Partners
(DPs) aimed at supporting the EAC projects and programmes that are
geared towards regional integration. It was established on 15
Septem- ber 2006 and is open to DPs who finance it through
Contribution Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
signed between DPs and the EAC.
(Continued from page 1)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
… Secretary General holds High Level Dialogue with
Partnership Fund Supporters
3
The Federal Republic of Germany on 11 December 2013, announced a
new commitment to the East African Commu- nity (EAC) in order to
support higher education and training of future journalists and
media professionals. Germany makes available a financial
contribution of 14 mil- lion Euros in support of the Graduate
School of Media and Communications (GSMC) of the Aga Khan
University, a recently established Centre of Excellence for media
educa- tion in East Africa. The education and training programmes
of the GSMC will have a strong regional focus and will foster a
diverse array of media leaders, enterprises and institutions that
will be distinguished by high standards of competence, ethics, pro-
fessionalism and social responsibility. The GSMC will closely
cooperate with the Deutsche Welle Akademie (DWA), which is the
media development division of Germany’s well known
international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW). Furthermore, the
Federal Republic of Germany announced a new commitment to the East
African Community in the water and sanitation sector. The EAC and
Germany believe that coordinated trans boundary investment
approaches are needed to cope with the growing demand for safe
water, to fight increasing pollution of water systems and to deal
with climate-related challenges. In this regard, Germany committed
a first tranche of 10 Million Euros to the ‘Trans boundary Water
Supply and Sani- tation Programme’ in order to contribute to
improved water and sanitation infrastructure in selected EAC border
towns. The programme will be implemented with the Lake
Victoria
(Continued on page 4)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
Germany Contributes 24 Million Euros
to Support Media Relations & Water
Sector Development
4
Basin Organisation (LVBC) of the EAC as Project Executing Agency.
The commitments were announced by a high-ranking German delegation,
led by Ralf-Matthias Mohs, Head of Division East Africa, Federal
Ministry for Development Cooperation, including Hans Koeppel,
Chargé d´Affaires at the German Embassy Dar es salaam, Lena Thiede,
Head of Cooperation EAC at the German Embassy Dar es salaam, as
well as Burkhard Hinz, Regional Manager West and East Africa, KfW
Development Bank. Speaking at the ceremony Secretary General of
East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera said the sign- ing
demonstrates the strong partnership between the EAC and the Federal
Republic of Germany. He applauded Ger- many for its commitment and
consistent support towards EAC Project and Programes.
Amb Sezibera affirmed EAC’s readiness to continue close cooperation
with the Federal Republic of Germany. Hans Koeppel, Chargé
d´Affaires at the German Embassy in Tanzania, said: “The new
commitments underline that Germany continues to be a strong partner
for the EAC, con- tributing to an integration process that puts the
people in the centre”. Since as early as 1998, Germany’s
development cooperation, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry
for Economic Coop- eration and Development (BMZ), contributes to
the capacity development of the Secretariat of the EAC and the
regional integration in East Africa through a variety of programmes
and projects. Germany’s funding for Technical and Financial
Cooperation with the EAC amounts to a total of 125.9 million Euros.
Germany also provides substantial support for the water and
governance sectors in selected EAC member states.
(Continued from page 3)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
… new commitments underline Germany’s
strong partnership with EAC
5
The Secretary-General of the East African Community (EAC) and
European Union Ambassadors accredited to the United Republic of
Tanzania held a Political Dialogue on 10 December 2013 in Arusha,
the United Republic of Tanzania. The political dialogue takes place
within the framework of the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and
the ACP states, to which the Regional Organizations are associated.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassa- dor Dr. Richard Sezibera,
Secretary General of the East African Community and Ambassador
Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Head of the EU Delegation to Tanzania
and the EAC. The Ambassadors and representatives from the Embassies
of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Spain, Sweden, and
the United Kingdom and senior officials from the EAC Secretariat
attended the meeting. The parties reviewed the political situation
in the countries of the sub-region, discussed EAC interven- tions
towards the promotion of good governance, and deliberated on the
elections observation in the Partner States.
The parties deliberated on the interventions for the promotion of
peace and security in the region, includ- ing the programs for
Early Warning Mechanism; those for the Prevention, Management and
Resolution of Conflicts; and the implementation of programs under
the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) including
options for continued EU support in these areas. They also
discussed the EAC’s interventions aimed at combating the
trafficking of drugs and of small arms and light weapons. The two
sides exchanged views on issues relating to the ongoing cases at
the Interna- tional Criminal Court. The EAC and EU also deliberated
on their trade rela- tions, including the progress towards
concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two
blocs for mutual benefit. The EAC and EU reaffirmed their strong
commitment to work together to advance peace and stability and to
promote equitable growth and development in the region. They
reiterated their commitment to coopera- tion and dialogue to
further strengthen and deepen the regional integration agenda of
the EAC.
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
EAC-EU Hold Political Dialogue
6
On 6 December 2013, EALA concluded oversight activities of
programmes and projects of the Community with an appeal to
stakeholders to re-double their efforts on citizen sensitiza- tion
on the benefits of integration. The three-day programme saw EALA
visit two institutions of the EAC - East African Development Bank
(EADB), the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation and the Civil
Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) in Kampala,
Jinja and Entebbe respectively, and the East African Civil Aviation
Academy (Soroti Flying School) in Soroti District. At CASSOA, the
Managing Director of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Rama
Makuza remarked that it was necessary for the aviation sector to
harmonise the laws that regulate it. Dr Makuza who is a Board
Member of CASSOA decried lack of adequate legislation governing
aviation and said threats to the industry including that of
terrorism were hampering progress. “I appeal to EALA and the
Council of Ministers to revisit the CASSOA Act and see to it that
it is assented” he said. The Executive Director of CASSOA, Barry
Kashambo cited inadequate funding and shortage of staff as
challenges to the organization. “We are looking at alternative
financing
mechanism to bridge the gap”, he said. According to Mr. Kashambo,
the annual budget of the institution is about USD 2.2 Million. The
Executive Director remarked that CASSOA rooted for the full
liberalization of air space to spur development in the region.
“Aviation is a strategic sector in the integration ar- rangement
and we look forward to safety, ease and ade- quacy of flights as
well as reduction in costs of flight”, he noted. At the Soroti
Flying School, the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa
applauded the Management for resuscitating the institution which
was on the verge of col- lapse a few years ago. She hailed as
timely, the imminent transfer of the EACAA to the EAC as one of the
Institu- tions. Present at the occasion was the Minister for EAC,
Republic of Uganda, Hon Shem Bageine. The Chair of the Management
Advisory Task Force, Mr. Zephania Baliddawa and the Acting
Director, Ronald Lodiong remarked that the Government of Uganda and
the EAC had put in place key intervention measures for recovery.
Mr. Lodiong cited the modernization of infrastructure,
enhancing
(Continued on page 7)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
EALA Undertakes Oversight of EAC
Programmes and Projects in Uganda
7
of the training curricula and the commissioning of a study by the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as key measures
towards the sustainability and revitalization of the Academy. The
institution which has a capacity of training 108 students offers
wide scope training for commercial and private piloting, flight
instructors and airport maintenance engineering among others. The
academy was established in September 1971 under the directorate of
the civil aviation of the (then) East African Community. The bulk
of its graduates are employed by regional airlines, air charter
companies and state opera- tors. While at the EADB, the Executive
Director, Viviene Yeda remarked that her institution would continue
to provide development finance and support advisory services in a
bid to promote sustainable economic development. She noted that
EADB had prioritized resource mobilization, food security and
infrastructure development as some of the areas of concen- tration
in the next few years. Currently, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and
Rwanda have Membership at the EADB while Burundi is in the process
of joining. Companies that source for funding from the Bank must
show evidence of financially viable projects that foster
regional
integration and impact positively in the economic, environmental
and social spectrum. The legislators later visited the Quality
Chemicals Ltd in Kampala and the Kormic fish factory in Jinja. AT
Quality Chemicals Ltd, a leading manufacturer of anti- malarial and
antiretroviral drugs, the Executive Chairman, Emmanuel Katongole
informed the legislators that it was time for the continent to take
its rightful place in socio-economic development issues. He noted
that Africa continued to bear the brunt of poverty yet it could
take and map its own destiny. “Hon Members, Sub-Sahara Africa is
home to 80% of Malaria and 63% of HIV and Aids cases yet less than
1% of the remedies are manufactured in Africa. We must change the
trend. We must not produce the diseases and others – the medicine,”
Mr. Katongole said. The Quality chemicals boss urged the Partner
States to consider purchasing the remedies from his plant and noted
that the facility was WHO pre-qualified and approved. EALA’s
mandate includes legislation, oversight and representation as
stipulated by Article 49 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the
EAC.
(Continued from page 6)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
… Legislators visit Quality Chemicals Ltd in
Kampala & Kormic Fish Factory in Jinja
8
A Meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Rules of Origin
in the context of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area
(FTA) negotiations is ongoing at Le Méridien Hotel, in
Pointe-aux-Piments in Mauritius. The four-day meeting, hosted by
the Mauritius’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration
and International Trade, has brought together around 100 trade and
custom experts from the 26 Member States of the Tripartite region
i.e. COMESA, EAC and SADC countries. The second Tripartite Summit
held in South Africa, in June 2011, launched the negotiations for
the Tripartite FTA. Following discussions on the modalities of the
nego- tiations, Member States are now engaged in negotiating the
draft Tripartite FTA text as well as its Annexes on Rules of
Origin, Non-Tariff Barriers, Technical Barriers to Trade and
Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures, Dispute Settlement and Trade
Remedies, amongst others. These Annexes will form the integral part
of the text constituting the Tripartite FTA.
The Tripartite FTA will cover some 6,000 products. While most of
the products will be aligned to the existing rules of COMESA, SADC
and EAC, some products will be subject to “specific rule to each
product” depending on the outcome of the negotiations. The present
Technical Working Group on Rules of Origin in Mauritius is pursuing
discussions on criteria that would qualify a product to be
considered as originating from the Tripartite region. The
discussions are focusing on the level of processing in various
products, type of ownership and operation of vessels and factory
ships. The Tripartite initiative aims at harmonising the trade
regimes of the COMESA, EAC and SADC through the establishment of an
enlarged FTA. The objective of the Tripartite FTA is to achieve a
larger market with a single economic space which will make it more
attractive to investment and large scale production.
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013 EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18
DECEMBER 2013
EAC-COMESA-SADC Tripartite
in Mauritius
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18 DECEMBER 2013
The Cabinet Secretary, East African Community Affairs, Commerce and
Tourism of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Phyllis J. Kandie on 11
December 2013, officially opened the 14th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi
Exhibition that took place 8 - 15 December 2013 at the Railways
Club Sports Ground, Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya. The 14th EAC Jua
Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition took place at a historic moment when the
Republic of Kenya (the host) was celebrating the Golden Jubilee and
Nairobi City dwellers and show-goers were in the festive moods.
Hon. Phyllis J. Kandie, who was representing H.E. President Uhuru
Kenyatta at the function, said the Exhibition was taking place
within the context of the EAC Industrial Policy and Strategy which
aims at enhancing industrial production and productivity to
accelerate transformation of economies of the region for
sustainable wealth creation, improved income and higher standards
of living. She noted that Micro, Small and Media Enterprises
(MSMEs) constitute up to 90% of firms in the EAC with about 60% of
employment generation making the enterprises a significant economic
player in the region. In this context, the Cabinet Secretary called
upon EAC Partner States to deliberately put effort to support the
development of the sector. Hon. Phyllis Kandie also urged the
Partner States to develop comprehensive plan to scale up the use of
applied sciences and formulate regional technology transfer. “We
should set up centers of excellence in major towns across the
region which can help upscale the technology within our small scale
enterprises as this will promote in them technology adaptation,
innovation and creativity” asserted the Hon. Minister. The Deputy
Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles
Njoroge informed the guests, exhibitors and show-goers that EAC had
been implementing the Customs Union since January 2005 and in
January 2010, it (the Customs Union) became fully fledged and Trade
statistics from EAC Trade report show significant increase of trade
amongst the Partner States. For example in 2012, the total
intra-EAC trade increased by 21.9 percent reaching the highest
value of US$ 5470.7 Million on account of increased Intra-EAC
imports and exports compared to the previous year.
(Continued on page 10)
Nairobi Hosts 14th EAC
10
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18 DECEMBER 2013
The Deputy Secretary General was affirmative in that the Jua Kali/
Nguvu Kazi exhibitions were proving to be of great value in
enabling the Jua Kali artisans and entrepreneurs to recognize and
deepen their role within the broader perspective of the region’s
development challenge. “The lively interaction among the Exhibitors
is a reflection of the new vibrant spirit for regional integration
and development that is emerging in East Africa”, said the EAC
official, adding “the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions have become
both a showcase and a measure of the progress being made in the
sector. To this extent, the exhibitions have attracted a constantly
growing number of exhibitors and visitors. The first exhibition
attracted 150 exhibitors, and today we note the participation of
over 800 exhibitors. Indeed, the Exhibition is fast assuming an
international character. Our aim is to establish a world-class
exhibition that would attract exhibitors and investors from outside
the region as well”. The CEO of Confederation of Informal Sector
Organization (CISO) East Africa Mr. James Njoroge said over the
past 14 years, the five East African Partner States through EAC
platform had recognized the role played by the Micro and Small
Enterprises (MSEs) sector in employment and wealth creation;
economic growth; poverty reduction; development of industrial base;
and offering excellent opportunities for the develop- ment of
entrepreneurship and managerial talents. The CEO disclosed that in
Kenya, the sector was estimated to employ 10.5 million people in
2012 accounting for 82.5% of the total number of persons engaged in
employment (Economic Survey 2013). In Tanzania, it accounts for 60%
of the rural and 40% of the urban employment respectively and
contributes 22% of the total labour force. In Uganda, the informal
economy employs 90% of total non-farm economically active
population and finally in Rwanda, the sector comprises 98% of the
businesses and 41% of all private sector employment. Mr. Njoroge
noted that despite the recognition, the sector was still ex-
periencing many constraints that inhibit the realization of its
full poten- tial. Some of these constraints include, poor MSE
organizations capac- ity; poor access to credit and financial
services; inadequate access to suitable appropriate technology; and
lack of markets and market infor- mation. The theme of the
Exhibition was Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi (MSEs) for value addition and
product quality for EAC industrialization.
(Continued from page 9)
11
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18 DECEMBER 2013
The President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Uhuru Kenyatta met with
the top leadership of the East African Confederation of Informal
Sector Organisations (EA-CISO) on 13 December 2013, at Safari Park
Hotel in Nairobi on the sidelines of the 14th EAC Jua Kali /Nguvu
Kazi Exhibitions. The EA-CISO Team was led by their Vice Patron Mr.
Keli Kiilu accompanied by EAC Partner States CISO Chapter Chairmen
and the Regional Project Manager of the EAC, MSE Market Access
Program ((Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions). The team briefed the
President on the ongoing Regional Exhibition upon which the
President sent the Head of Public Service Mr. Kinyua to the
Exhibition Grounds at the Railway Sports Ground to show solidarity
and support to the EAC Regional MSE Exhibitors drawn from the five
Partner States. On behalf of the President, Mr. Kinyua, who is the
Head of Public Service in Kenya, extended the Exhibition by adding
three more days. The President as the Chairman of the Summit of the
Heads of States of the EAC Partner States will be meeting the
EA-CISO leadership in January 2014.
President Kenyatta Meets
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 76 30 NOVEMBER 2013
It was the same script, Uganda vs EALA in the final but just a
different setting and venue. At the end of it, defending champions,
Parliament of Uganda once again showed their supremacy in class and
pace outclassing EAC/EALA 3-0 in a pulsating final at Mandela
Stadium Namboole on 15 December 2013. President Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni was in attendance as Kampala City legislator, Hon Muhammad
Nsereko turned destroyer in chief netting all three goals. He
opened the floodgates in the first half with two well executed
goals before notching the third to bury EALA. Whereas the
Parliament of Uganda’s midfield was alive, the EALA team failed to
click in all depart- ments. “My boys did not play according to
instructions today but the opposition (Parliament of Uganda) was.
the better side and we congratulate them, EALA coach” Rishad Rajab
said. Parliament of Uganda becomes the first team to win the
tournament three times in a row.
Earlier on, Bunge FC of Kenya finished third after beat- ing Vision
2020 FC 2-1.In netball, defending champion, Parliament of Tanzania
defeated Parliament of Uganda 35-33 in a hotly contested final
match. Points by Hon Grace Kiwelu and Hon Halima Mdee carried the
day for Parliament of Tanzania. EALA finished third after si-
lencing Kenya 50-10 in the losers play-off. For all his efforts,
Hon Muhammad Nsereko carried the golden boot. Parliament of
Tanzania’s Hon Iddi Azzan and Hon Straton of EALA won the best
goalkeeper and the Most Valuable Player awards respectively. In
Netball, Uganda’s Hon Sarah Netasiire who scored 52 goals in the
entire tournament was awarded for the best shooter while her
compatriot, Hon Winnie Kiiza won the best centre category.
Parliament of Tanzania’s Hon Grace Kiwelu was declared the Most
Valuable Player.
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18 DECEMBER 2013
Uganda and Tanzania retain Soccer
and Netball Trophies
EAC Update e-newsletter is published by the Department of Corporate
Communications and Public Affairs
East African Community (EAC) | P.O. Box 1096 | Arusha -
Tanzania.
www.eac.int For further information please contact:
Richard Owora Othieno, Head of Department | Email:
[email protected] | Tel: +255 784 835021
Visit the EAC Web Portal at http://www.eac.int to read these and more stories online.
You can also download the EAC Newsletter by logging onto http://www.news.eac.int
Editorial Team: Owora Richard Othieno; Aileen Mallya; Bobi Odiko;
Florian Mutabazi;
Belinda Wera; Damaris Wambui; J.R.Luwali (Photographer ) &
Mukhtar Abdul Bolyao (Photographer)
EAC UPDATE ISSUE NO 77 18 DECEMBER 2013
14
EAC Update e-newsletter is published by the Department of Corporate
Communications and Public Affairs
East African Community (EAC) | P.O. Box 1096 | Arusha -
Tanzania.
www.eac.int For further information please contact:
Richard Owora Othieno, Head of Department | Email:
[email protected] | Tel: +255 784 835021
Visit the EAC Web Portal at http://www.eac.int to read these and more stories online.
You can also download the EAC Newsletter by logging onto http://www.news.eac.int
Editorial Team: Owora Richard Othieno; Aileen Mallya; Bobi Odiko;
Florian Mutabazi;
Belinda Wera; Damaris Wambui; J.R.Luwali (Photographer ) &
Mukhtar Abdul Bolyao (Photographer)