The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania, announced Wednesday that the bloc convened a three-day Pre-Budget Conference starting the same day, in Arusha.

According to a statement, the Conference, which has become part of the EAC Annual Planning and Budgeting cycle, is being attended by officials from Partner States, EAC Organs and Institutions, Members of EALA General purpose Committee, Civil Society organizations and the Private Sector.

"The Conference is expected to come up with key strategic issues to be addressed by the Community during the Financial Year 2011/2012, as well as sector specific objectives, outputs and activities to be achieved, delivered and implemented respectively during the year,” reads part of the statement.

An EAC SWOT Analysis addressing the key issues is also expected to be discussed.

It is noted that sector priorities will form the basis of the EAC budget framework for FY 2011/2012.

The Annual EAC- Budget conference is in response to the Council of Ministers directive of involving as many stakeholders as possible in the process of formulating the EAC Annual Budget.

During the Plenary session by the East Africa Legislative Assembly’s (EALA), in Bujumbura, Burundi in May 2009, it was also recommended that the Council organizes a Pre-Budget conference annually involving key stakeholders.

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