Arusha, 4th May 2012:
Tanzania
Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA Arusha) has commenced a study that seeks effective and efficient implementation
of East African Common Market Protocol so as to improve Tanzania business
performance and competitiveness within the region.
Making
the announcement yesterday, Mr Adolf Olomi, the Chairperson of TCCIA Arusha
said the project would look at challenges and opportunities in the
implementation of the East African Common Market Protocol and Tanzania’s role in creating attractive environment for
increased private sector activity within and across the borders.
“We
are looking at what can be done to increase gains while minimizing losses from
the arrangement,” he said adding that the study, would develop a comprehensive
policy paper that could spur Tanzania’s greater and effective participation in
the implementation of the market protocol.
Mr
Olomi disclosed that BEST-AC has financed the project and is offering
technical assistance to ensure the project is successful. BEST AC assists business membership
organizations create a better business environment with grants, capacity
building and technical assistance so as to enable successful dialogue with the government.
TCCIA
Arusha chairman said the research
will also scrutinize the comparative advantages that Tanzania needs to
capitalize on. This will be useful in point out opportunities available for the
country in effectively facilitating development of the EAC economies.
“It
will identify opportunities and challenges available for Tanzania in the common
market arrangement, asses the country’s quality of business environment for
international trading competitiveness and identify key sectors important
facilitators of integration and cooperation,” Mr Olomi said.
The
study will gather factual information from stakeholders that can facilitate
Tanzania in offering practical effective interventions in the integration
process of the EAC Common Market. The analysis will focus on policy challenges surrounding
the implementation of the protocol. This will involve identifying the key
sectors that are important for integration and cooperation to develop a policy proposal.
Despite
the existence of the protocol since 2010, few enterprises were aware of its
content, Mr Olomi said.
“The Purpose of the protocol is to lift trade
obstacles and focus on greater integration as a common market. Unfortunately
some organizations and business sectors don’t have a common understanding on
what their role should be and thus fail to benefit,” he said.
Consultants
hired by TCCIA yesterday shared an inception report with a cross section of
stakeholders who are expected to provide information to the team.
In
the project, Round Table Africa is providing expertise, advice, and specialist
skills to TCCIA Arusha with the aim of improving the project performance and
maximizing its success. Three firms have
have been hired to undertake the study.
Africa Source Investment Trade & Environment Management is look at agribusiness, Sokanida Resources
LTD is working on tourism while and MBD & Alpha associates are working
on manufacturing.
Ms
Fina Felix Executive Secretary, TCCIA Arusha expressed gratitude to BEST-AC for
supporting private sector organizations (PSOs) like TCCIA with grants and
technical assistance.
The
Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market
entered into force on 1st July, 2010, following ratification by all the five
Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Note
to the editors
About BEST AC
BEST-AC is a grant giving programme
that assists business membership organisations to create a better business
environment. The grants enable these organisations to be successful in their
dialogue with government to change policies, laws and regulations. BEST-AC is responsible for the effective and
efficient design, development and delivery of the Private Sector Advocacy (PSA)
Fund provided through grants from the governments of Denmark (through Danish
International Development Assistance, Danida), the Royal Netherlands Embassy,
Sweden (through the Swedish International Development Agency, SIDA) and the
United Kingdom (through the Department for International Development, DFID).
COWI Denmark management consultants manage BEST-AC.
Website; http://www.best-ac.org
About TCCIA Arusha
TCCIA Arusha mission is to
facilitate Private Sector Development in Tanzania by providing exceptional
value to members and business community through the provision of demand driven
advocacy, business informediary, linkages , business development services and
other relevant services in a more professional, resourceful and sustainable
manner.
Currently, Arusha Regional
Chamber has 522 active registered members from the TCCIA Arusha Municipality
and the District Chambers of Arumeru, Karatu and Monduli. Arusha Chamber is
currently endowed with qualified, experienced Regional Executive Officer and
committed Board members. There has been increase collaboration with the
Government and Regional Administration on the improving the private sector
performance through the Arusha Regional Business Council, District Council e.g.
Arumeru, TRA through stakeholder’s forum, TIC in Investor’s Forum and other
forums of which TCCIA represents the members and uses the opportunities to dialogue with public sector of various
member’s issues.