A High Level Dialogue between the officials of the East African Community and the Development Partners concluded on 6th December 2016, in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, with the Development Partners commending the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko for his outstanding work and commitment in enhancing efficiency of EAC processes and procedures through introduction of reforms.
At the dialogue, held at the official residence of the Norwegian Ambassador to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Development Partners expressed renewed confidence in EAC with UK, Canada, France and Turkey committing to resume contributions to the EAC through the Partnership Fund in the next financial year.
The Secretary General was accompanied by Hon. Christophe Bavizamo, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors; Hon. Jesca Eriyo, the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Finance and Administration; and other Senior Officers from the EAC Secretariat.
Prior to the dialogue, the Secretary General met and held discussions with H.E. Hanne-Marie Kaarstad, the Norwegian Ambassador, who is also the Chair of the Partnership Fund High Level Committee. Their discussions revolved around the future of the Partnership Fund including the succession of the Partnership Fund Chairmanship and recruitment of a dedicated Manager for the Fund. She expressed her appreciation for the outstanding work the Secretary General had exhibited since he took over the leadership of the Community. H.E. Hanne-Marie has been the Chair of the Committee for the last 3 years and will be completing her term on 31st December 2016.
Secretary General holds several meetings
On the same day, the Secretary General held a series of meetings with several Development Partners in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to update them on the regional integration agenda and discuss possibilities of further collaboration.
EAC – EU cooperation
The Secretary General met the Head of European Delegation to United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Amb. Roeland van de Geer to discuss the EAC – EU cooperation, specifically the implementation of Euro 85 Million allocated under EDF 11.
EAC-Turkish Cooperation
The Secretary General met H.E. Yasemin Eralp, the Turkish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. During the meeting, the Secretary General urged the Turkish government to consider identifying areas of potential cooperation with EAC. The Turkish Ambassador on her part expressed her Government’s interest to contribute to the Partnership Fund, and collaborate with EAC in areas of Trade, Investment, and Agriculture.
EAC- Germany Cooperation
The Secretary General and H.E. Egon Kochanke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania, signed a EURO 7 Million with the Federal Republic of Germany to support Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region and the establishment of an Academic Center for Digital Innovation in East Africa. This is the second Agreement between EAC and the Government of Germany this financial year. On 23rd November EAC signed a EURO 40 Million agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany and KfW Development Bank to support immunization programmes in the EAC and operations of the Regional Laboratory Network for Communicable Diseases.
EAC-China Cooperation
The Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko met the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Lu Youqing. During the meeting, the Secretary General appreciated the contribution by the Chinese Government to the ongoing Inter-Burundi Dialogue. He acknowledged receipt of US$ 200,000 in the EAC Secretariat’s accounts as support to the Office of the Facilitator of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue. The Chinese Ambassador reiterated his Government’s commitment to supporting EAC in the investment, Industry and Environment and Wildlife Conservation. The People’s Republic of China also expressed interest to enter into a unilateral Free Trade Area Agreement with EAC and it was ready to commence discussions with the EAC towards this end.
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