G.T.Z.

   

Objective

The component of the GTZ-EAC programme “Support of the EAC integration process” aims at developing the role of the private sector as a driving force for regional development and competitiveness in East Africa. The project has been established under a cooperation agreement between the East African Community (EAC) and the Federal Republic of Germany. At present, support is focused on the East African Business Council (EABC), based in Arusha, Tanzania. The overall project objective is to increase EABC’s and other regional business associations’ lobbying and policy dialogue capabilities. Other organisations include the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the East African Trade Union Congress (EATUC).

German development co-operation supports the private business associations’ active involvement in the regional integration agenda. Furthermore, the co-operation is aimed at strengthening EABC’s and other regional business associations’ lobbying and policy dialogue capabilities.

Support Mechanism

The programme support started in 2003 and was extended in 2006 up until end-2009. The German Ministry of Cooperation & Development (BMZ) through German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) provides financial support to fund two professional staff to EABC and to strengthen programme activities. This support amounts to 410,000 EURO (2007 – 2009). GTZ provides consultancy support through ICON Institute GmbH for a long-term resident advisor plus short-term consultancies.

Programme Objectives & Strategic Approach

Objective of Programme Component:
EABC and other regional business associations lobby successfully for private-sector interests in the integration policy dialogue.

Strategic Approach in current programme phase:
The EABC secretariat will be supported in key areas to achieve sustainability for its core functions until end-2009.

Other regional business associations, such as in agriculture and will be assisted in the development of lobby sectoral campaigns.

During its inception, EABC was unknown and few development Partners were willing to support it. One of those few and the main supporter of EABC has been GTZ.

Programme Planning

The programme is based on the EABC Five Year Strategic Plan. The activities are defined by the EABC secretariat on an annual basis following a programme review. Annual member surveys are being carried out for M&E purposes.

Achievements

• EABC membership has increased from 19 to 121 within 5 years; all major associations and corporations operating in East Africa have joined the organisation
• Income of EABC has increased significantly.
• A database containing 3000 addresses of business executives was created and is utilized for regular electronic mailings (EABC Newsletter, EABC newsflash)
• EABC has set up working groups on Trade & Industry, Trade & Investment Promotion and Banking & Finance that are actively contributing to the Regional integration process
• “Top level lobbying”: EABC was able to obtain audiences with all EAC heads of State on a regular basis
• Regular lobby campaigns and policy dialogue engaging EAC, national governments and private sector
• The project instituted an annual survey (“BCI”) on Non-Tariff-Barriers and the Business Climate in East Africa involving 500 companies and 100 government agencies
• Several road shows to 13 cities have been initiated to inform the private sector on the Customs Union and the new Customs law; more than 2500 business people participated in these meetings so far
• Partnership with EAC as privileged policy dialogue partner

Trade & Investment Promotion

EABC initiated value-added services to member associations of which one third is engaged in this field at the national level. The working group on Trade & Investment promotion serves as a vehicle to lobby for an improved business climate in order to make East Africa more attractive to investors. These activities are undertaken in collaboration with ProInvest and Afrika Verein.

The cooperation includes the following activities:

• Lobbying for the removal of barriers to Foreign Direct investment
• Investor conference on Renewable Energies in East Africa, Frankfurt/Main September 2007

For further information

Please contact:

Enhancement of Regional Business Associations
P.O. Box 2617, Arusha, Tanzania
sophiel@eabc-online.com