Monday, 5th July 2021, Arusha, Tanzania:- On his debut day in Office, East African Business Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr. John Bosco Kalisa welcomed H.E. David William Concar, United Kingdom – High Commissioner to Tanzania to the East African Business Council (EABC) Offices in Arusha, Tanzania.
In his remarks, Mr. Kalisa appreciated the United Kingdom (UK) support to East African Business Council through TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) and highlighted the importance of the private sector as the driver of socio-economic growth in the East African Community region.
“UK’s support is vital towards strengthening EABC’s advocacy & research role to boost intra-EAC trade and investments,” said Mr. John Bosco Kalisa, EABC CEO.
He said that EAC bloc is the fastest growing regional economic community in Africa projected to grow at 3.6% in 2021(AfDB). This offers lee-way for EAC champion the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for increase prosperity in Africa, as it avalils 1.3 billion consumer market.
“EABC has been at the forefront of supporting resilience and recovery by calling for a regional coordinated approach on the handling of COVID-19 in the EAC. COVID-19 was projected to cost USD. 37 billion – USD. 70 billion as output losses on EAC countries,” said Mr. Kalisa.
He elaborated on the importance of strengthening public-private dialogue from national to EAC and AfCFTA levels, support to Youth and Women in Business, Digitalization for COVID-19 resilience and recovery, elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers, tackling climate change & Green energy as well as trade facilitation and digitalization of infrastructure – ports & roads.
“With the deep political commitment and goodwill from the Summit of the EAC Heads of State, there is high hope and optimism on openness and growth of trade and investment in the EAC bloc,” Mr. Kalisa further elaborated.
On his part, H.E. David Concar, United Kingdom – High Commissioner to Tanzania said, the EAC regional integration is a way out of poverty, an opportunity to create more jobs for the East African youth for sustainable development.
H.E. David Concara congratulated and appreciated Mr. Kalisa for kicking off his first day of duty at EABC Secretariat Offices in Arusha, by hosting his delegation.
Issued by:
Mr. John Bosco Kalisa
Chief Executive Officer, East African Business Council (EABC)
9th Floor Mafao House | Old Moshi Road | Arusha | Tanzania
P. O. Box 2617 | Tel: +255 27 2520162
Email: admin@eabc-online.com I Website: eabc.info
EABC – The Voice of the Private Sector in East Africa
About East African Business Council: The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of private sector associations and Corporates from the 6 East African countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the private sector in the integration process of the East African Community. EABC vision is a borderless East Africa for business and investment. The primary mission is to promote sustainable private sector driven in the EAC.
