- Godwin Muhwezi-Bonge Arusha, Tanzania The East African Community Heads of State meeting in Arusha, Tanzania on April 29, 2009 postponed the signing of the Common Market protocol. The Common Market protocol, which was expected to be signed in June, 2009 was extended to November 2009 to give negotiating teams more time to conclude annexes to the protocol. The Common Market, which started in April, 2008, are expected to culminate into the signing of a protocol that will turn East Africa into a common market. Mr Charles Mbogori, the Executive Director of East African Business Council (EABC) said the decision taken by EAC Heads of State as contained in a communiqué issued at the…

Tanzania is at high risk of failing to feed herself, with over 70 per cent of its people depending on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood, according to a policy brief from the World Agroforestry Centre issued on March 12. - A policy paper entitled: “New climate, new agriculture: How agroforestry contributes to meeting the challenges of agricultural development”, Tanzania is listed among African countries worst affected by climate change impacts and vulnerability, and having the least adaptive capacities. “The country is lagging in achieving its targets on reducing poverty and food insecurity, and in achieving the Millennium Development Goals,” the paper read…

- Godwin Muhwezi-Bonge Arusha, Tanzania Tanzania is at high risk of failing to feed herself, with over 70 per cent of its people depending on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood, according to a policy brief from the World Agroforestry Centre issued on March 12. A policy paper entitled: “New climate, new agriculture: How agroforestry contributes to meeting the challenges of agricultural development”, Tanzania is listed among African countries worst affected by climate change impacts and vulnerability, and having the least adaptive capacities. “The country is lagging in achieving its targets on reducing poverty and food insecurity, and in achieving the Millen…

Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors and Chief Executive Officers of leading companies in East Africa met in Arusha, Tanzania to discuss how countries in the region can cushion their economies against the negative effects of the global financial crisis. - ~~~~~~~~~~~~The one-day meeting organized by the East African Business Council (EABC) was convened to identify problems, discuss solutions and make recommendations on how East African economies can best deal the ailing private sector. “We want to seek local solutions to this crisis,” Charles Mbogori, the Executive Director of EABC, said. “Part of the recommendations will be presented at EAC Summit, and EAC Council…

Businesses operating in East Africa continue to bear the brunt of non-tariff barriers, which has led to a decline in the business environment in the region, according to the 2008 Business Climate Index (BCI) report released last week. - The report launched across East Africa in all the capital cities shows that the overall Business Climate Index across the East African region in 2008 declined to 44 down from 51 points in 2007. The Executive Director of East African Business Council, Charles Mbogori said: “The private sector in East Africa has the capacity to grow and become globally competitive. But this cannot happen without transformation of the current business environment.…

Motor vehicles assembled in East Africa can now gain access to the Tanzanian market under the East African Common Rules of Origin. The new directive follows a meeting between officials from the East African Business Council (EABC), the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and Tanzania Ministry for East African Community. - The meeting was held last week in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and attended, among others, by Tanzania EAC Minister Dr Diodorus Kamala, TRA Commissioner General Harry Kittlya, EAC Director of Customs Kenneth Bagamuhunda, and EABC Board Members. The meeting agreed to reinstate to vehicles assembled in East Africa favourable rates under the EAC Origin Status as per EAC Treaty. Th…