Security
What are the three main priorities for developing security in the EAC?
List in order of risk the threats to security in the region.
What are the strategies to address these threats and who would be involved? (UN, AU, National Government, Interpol)
Economy
How will resources play a part in economic development of the area. http://www.rmo.eac.int
Highlight some (4 min) of the key Goals of the East African Common Market and explain how they will benefit the area. http://www.eac.int/commonmarket/documentation.html
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Customs Union in particular catalyzed remarkable trade expansion. Intra-EAC trade grew by 40% between 2005 and 2009. Uganda’s exports to Kenya increased more than tenfold from USD15.5 Million in 2004 to USD172 Million in 2009, while Tanzania’s exports to Kenya over the same period nearly tripled , from USD 95.5 Million to USD 300 Million. This pattern is expected to be enhanced with the Common Market which came into force in July 2010. This increased trade and investment among the EAC Partner States has broadened prospects for economic growth and development.
***** Trade has expanded by over 40 % as a result of the integration projects.
The growth in trade was complemented by the significant growth in cross-border investment in the services sectors cutting across banking, insurance and tertiary education. The regional economy has grown significantly despite the global financial and economic crisis experienced between mid-2007 and early 2009. Total GDP of the five EAC Partner States grew from USD 30 Billion in 2002 to USD 75 Billion in 2009 (refer Table 2.1) and is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2012. Moreover, all the Partner States’ economies have managed to tame inflation to within single digit levels, except during the peak of the global financial crisis and the recent drought and fuel induced price increases.
****** There has been growth in cross border investment in Banking and insurance and Inflation has been held in check by the Monetary policies.
The greatest hindrance to democratic consolidation in EAC are the perennial conflicts within the horn of Africa and the great lakes region, terrorism and piracy that have led to proliferation of small arms and influx of refugees into the region. However, a number of regional initiatives, with positive outcomes, have been embraced to address the above challenges. At the international level, EAC has gained recognition as a fully fledged regional economic community. The Community has made satisfactory strides in forging strong cooperation in political matters particularly in areas of defence, peace and security which are key prerequisites for the regional integration process.
****** Key Threats in the area Are conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the great lakes region political alliances have helped implement more effective initiatives to address these issues and by setting entry requirements based on security has encouraged adjacent states to develop in these areas.
The prevalence of NTBs, inadequate infrastructure; institutional handicaps; inadequate national level capacities to domesticate regional policies; divergent socio-economic structures; supply side constraints; weak legal, regulatory and dispute settlement mechanisms and requisite powers for EAC to enforce Community obligations and decisions; delays in operationalization of EAC competition Act; mismatch during the implementation of trade facilitation instruments and processes are some of the major constraints that slowed the achievement of the full benefits of the Customs Union.
****** Key Threats are poor quality infrastructure limiting connectivity and poor quality governance
In June 2011, the Joint Summit of the Tripartite held its 2nd Joint Summit which launched the negotiations for the Grand Free Trade Area, underscored the need for faster development of infrastructure and the urgent need for an industrialisation strategy. In order to support the regional integration process the strategy has prioritised expansion of productive capacities to facilitate product/service diversification and infrastructure network development for enhanced connectivity within the region and the global community.
****** Strategies are being put in place to develop infrastructure (such as the lapset project) and connectivity
In recognition of the global changes, research and technological development and investing in knowledge will need to take centre stage. Other key strategic drivers that will underpin the regional integration agenda are increased private sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and citizenry involvement; good governance, transparency and accountability; and political stability, peace and security.
****** Investment in education and knowledge based economy will be a key strategy to improve alongside greater use of private sector and local groups which should hopefully improve transparency and governance.
The strategy is estimated to cost USD 1,288,538,790 in the next five years. It is anticipated that, the on-going consultations on alternative financing mechanisms for the East African Community will be concluded soon, and a more sustainable mechanism identified to ensure timeliness and sustainability in programme/project implementation. Furthermore innovative ways of tapping non-conventional sources of resources to include Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) .
What are the three main priorities for developing security in the EAC?
List in order of risk the threats to security in the region.
What are the strategies to address these threats and who would be involved? (UN, AU, National Government, Interpol)
Economy
How will resources play a part in economic development of the area. http://www.rmo.eac.int
Highlight some (4 min) of the key Goals of the East African Common Market and explain how they will benefit the area. http://www.eac.int/commonmarket/documentation.html
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Customs Union in particular catalyzed remarkable trade expansion. Intra-EAC trade grew by 40% between 2005 and 2009. Uganda’s exports to Kenya increased more than tenfold from USD15.5 Million in 2004 to USD172 Million in 2009, while Tanzania’s exports to Kenya over the same period nearly tripled , from USD 95.5 Million to USD 300 Million. This pattern is expected to be enhanced with the Common Market which came into force in July 2010. This increased trade and investment among the EAC Partner States has broadened prospects for economic growth and development.
***** Trade has expanded by over 40 % as a result of the integration projects.
The growth in trade was complemented by the significant growth in cross-border investment in the services sectors cutting across banking, insurance and tertiary education. The regional economy has grown significantly despite the global financial and economic crisis experienced between mid-2007 and early 2009. Total GDP of the five EAC Partner States grew from USD 30 Billion in 2002 to USD 75 Billion in 2009 (refer Table 2.1) and is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2012. Moreover, all the Partner States’ economies have managed to tame inflation to within single digit levels, except during the peak of the global financial crisis and the recent drought and fuel induced price increases.
****** There has been growth in cross border investment in Banking and insurance and Inflation has been held in check by the Monetary policies.
The greatest hindrance to democratic consolidation in EAC are the perennial conflicts within the horn of Africa and the great lakes region, terrorism and piracy that have led to proliferation of small arms and influx of refugees into the region. However, a number of regional initiatives, with positive outcomes, have been embraced to address the above challenges. At the international level, EAC has gained recognition as a fully fledged regional economic community. The Community has made satisfactory strides in forging strong cooperation in political matters particularly in areas of defence, peace and security which are key prerequisites for the regional integration process.
****** Key Threats in the area Are conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the great lakes region political alliances have helped implement more effective initiatives to address these issues and by setting entry requirements based on security has encouraged adjacent states to develop in these areas.
The prevalence of NTBs, inadequate infrastructure; institutional handicaps; inadequate national level capacities to domesticate regional policies; divergent socio-economic structures; supply side constraints; weak legal, regulatory and dispute settlement mechanisms and requisite powers for EAC to enforce Community obligations and decisions; delays in operationalization of EAC competition Act; mismatch during the implementation of trade facilitation instruments and processes are some of the major constraints that slowed the achievement of the full benefits of the Customs Union.
****** Key Threats are poor quality infrastructure limiting connectivity and poor quality governance
In June 2011, the Joint Summit of the Tripartite held its 2nd Joint Summit which launched the negotiations for the Grand Free Trade Area, underscored the need for faster development of infrastructure and the urgent need for an industrialisation strategy. In order to support the regional integration process the strategy has prioritised expansion of productive capacities to facilitate product/service diversification and infrastructure network development for enhanced connectivity within the region and the global community.
****** Strategies are being put in place to develop infrastructure (such as the lapset project) and connectivity
In recognition of the global changes, research and technological development and investing in knowledge will need to take centre stage. Other key strategic drivers that will underpin the regional integration agenda are increased private sector, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and citizenry involvement; good governance, transparency and accountability; and political stability, peace and security.
****** Investment in education and knowledge based economy will be a key strategy to improve alongside greater use of private sector and local groups which should hopefully improve transparency and governance.
The strategy is estimated to cost USD 1,288,538,790 in the next five years. It is anticipated that, the on-going consultations on alternative financing mechanisms for the East African Community will be concluded soon, and a more sustainable mechanism identified to ensure timeliness and sustainability in programme/project implementation. Furthermore innovative ways of tapping non-conventional sources of resources to include Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) .