A high-level delegation from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat comprising of senior officials from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was scheduled to arrive last evening on a two-day visit in the country.
One of the main objectives of the study tour is to learn from the experiences of other institutions in regional economic integration, especially regarding their own efforts at achieving internal free trade and the establishment of a Customs Union.
Head of delegation, Ambassador Francis Mathura, Secretary General of the EAC Secretariat will meet today with the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Mr. Edwin Carrington at his office at the Head Office of the Secretariat.
During the visit, the delegation will also meet with officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade, agencies, organisations and private sector representatives.
It is expected that from this study tour, the senior officials from the High Level Task Force (HLTF) comprising senior representatives from the three Member States will assist the EAC Secretariat to determine the best approach for establishing the Customs Union (CU) and Common Market (CM).
The Treaty establishing the East African Community was signed by the Heads of State of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda on November 30, 1999.
Article 74 of the Treaty states, “Partner States shall develop and adopt an East African Trade Regime and co-operate in trade liberalisation and development.”
Members of the delegation include EAC’s Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Fulgence Kazaura; Mr. Zachary N. Mwaura, Chief Economist, Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry; Mr. G M Kitenga, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Customs; and Mr. Hirji Shah, Vice Chairman East African Business Council from Kenya.
From Tanzania, Mr. George I Mnyitafu, Senior Principal Collector, Customs and Excise Tax Department, Tanzania Revenue Authority; Mr. Musa Uledi, Deputy Director Policy and Research Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade; and Mr. Arnold Kilewo, 1st Vice-Chairman, East African Business Council and Chairman Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.
And, from Uganda, Ambassador James Baba, Director, Regional Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Peter Malinga, Assistant Commissioner, Customs; and Mr. Hilary Obonyo Secretary, East African Business Council.
The Imani Development based in Zimbabwe was instrumental in organising the study tour to Guyana. Accompanying the delegation is the Mission consultant, Mr. Richard Hess, Managing Director of Imani Development (International) Ltd.
