A Conference aimed at integration of financial sectors of EAC member states is concluding today in Arusha Tanzania.The two day conference that opened yesterday was organized by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund.
The conference deliberated under the theme “The East African Community after 10 Years: Deepening EAC Integration”.
Over 100 regional and international experts and policy makers used the conference as a platform to discuss the EAC’s accomplishments to date, the benefits of regional integration, relevant international experience, and the macroeconomic policy challenges going forward.
EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera said yesterday in his opening remarks that the East African Community has as its primary objective to develop a single market and investment area in East Africa that is anchored on the twin pillars of internal free trade and liberal trade with the rest of the world.
He said that EAC has evolved strong institutions, legal frameworks and operational modalities in the promotion of a viable and vibrant integrated market, a business and investments friendly environment and development of competitive value added industries.
“We have established a Customs Union and Common Market into which we are currently investing every effort and energy to ensure that these programmes work well for the people in delivering and demonstrating the benefits of regional integration,’ he explained.
He said the EAC is putting in place comprehensive programme of regional infrastructure to support a viable, vibrant single market and investment area in East Africa.
“On the whole, we have transformed the East African narrative from that of lethargy, stagnation, dependence and underdevelopment to that of forward looking dynamic progress,” he added.
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