An East Africa Community (EAC) meeting of experts to follow-up on the development of an effective dialogue framework between them, the private sector and civil society organizations, is scheduled to take place on August 22 to 24 at the Southern Sun Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

Representatives from government institutions, private sector and civil society organizations, as well as the EAC Secretariat, are expected to come up with a clear mechanism for effective participation of civil society and private sector organizations in the EAC integration process.

The meeting, organized by the German Development Agency (GIZ), in partnership with Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA), is expected to formulate comprehensive inputs for the dialogue framework, develop a clear roadmap for effective realization of the dialogue framework.

The event will also help participants to agree on necessary steps for validation and institutionalization of the dialogue framework for involving civil society and the private sector in regional integration and to determine detailed work plans for the implementation of the dialogue framework.

In an interview with The New Times yesterday, Robert Ssali, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MINEAC), said that the meeting will promote public-private partnerships among member states.

"This meeting is very important because it will prevent the Community from being driven by the government, but to also bring on board the private sector and the civil society organizations across the region.”

He pointed out that the conference will enable participants to work on key issues that would make the community prosper in as far as trade and investment are concerned in EAC adding that it will help EAC member states to solve various challenges concerning non-tariff barriers which include energy, transport, among others.

According to Ssali, article 7 (a), (d) of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community, states that the principles that shall govern achievement of the objectives of the Community, shall include people–centered and market driven co-operation and the principle of subsidiary with emphasis on multi-level participation and the involvement of the wide range of stake-holders in the process of integration.

He also stated that the meeting of experts, envisages the effective participation of non state actors through a clear dialogue framework as an integral part of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EAC policies, programs and projects.

Ssali noted that in order to comply with the treaty, the EAC Secretariat currently cooperates with the East African Civil Society Forum (EACSOF) and the East African Business Council (EABC) which already provide a platform for information sharing among civil society, private sector organizations and an opportunity to discuss and issue recommendations on EAC policies.

He said that Rwanda will be represented by two officials; one from the Ministry and another one from the Private Sector Federation (PSF).

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