Arusha, Tanzania: April 10, 2017 - The 2nd high- level East African Manufacturing
Business Summit (2EAMBS) co-organized by the East African Business Council
(EABC) and the East African Community (EAC) is scheduled as a three day event,
to take place on 23rd -25th May 2017 at Serena Hotel in
Kigali, Rwanda.
The
debut East African Manufacturing Business Summit, held in October 2015 in Kampala,
Uganda, had recommended the formulation of a regional policy for motor vehicles,
textiles & apparels, leather & leather products to create a coherent
policy regime for the development of these sectors, which are crucial for
employment creation and poverty reduction.
Cotton production,
processing and trade of both raw and processed products is highly influenced by
policies of major producing countries, through price support, tariff
protection, production subsidies and stock piling that destabilize cotton
prices.
“The competitiveness of
cotton industry in EAC is faced by challenges such as low yields, ginning
overcapacity, low ginning outturn ratio and inefficient value addition in some
partner states” said Ms. Lilian Awinja.
The current low volume
cotton processed locally compared to what is exported offers a raw material
base for textile and apparel manufacturing.
“Value addition in cotton Industry can create more jobs
opportunities in EAC including innovation in fashion industry, as only 15% of
EAC cotton is procced locally while 85% is exported in form of lint to other
countries.”
The
EAC 17th session Heads of States Summit directed Partner States to
procure competitively, their textile and footwear requirements from within the
region where quality and supply capacities are available with a view to phasing
out used textiles and footwear within 3 years.
During the 2EAMBS in Kigali, there will be a dedicated
round table which will analyze existing challenges and opportunities in Cotton, Textiles, Apparels, Leather and
Footwear value chains and propose an action plan outlining the policies and
modalities to promote the sector.
“The 2EAMBS seeks to create an avenue for the
private sector under EABC to influence policy and campaign for the acceleration
of industrial reforms to improve the investment conditions in the EAC strategic
sectors” said Lilian Awinja EABC CEO.
Other
industry round tables will be held on automotive, agro-processing &
agri-business; mineral processing; pharmaceuticals; construction materials;
fertilizers & agro-chemicals as well as leather & textiles.
The
2nd East African Manufacturing Business Summit will also offer an exhibition
where investors, enterprises, researchers and academia can collectively
showcase new products and services as well as latest innovations in
manufacturing, particularly those with relevance to small and medium
enterprises (SMEs).
His Excellency Paul Kagame, President
of Rwanda, is expected as chief guest at the event and to officially open the
conference and exhibition. Hon. Liberat Mfumukeko, Secretary General of the EAC
as well as the respective Ministers from all EAC Partner States are also
invited to demonstrate their efforts in promoting investments in the regional
manufacturing sector. EABC Chairman and board of Directors will be present to
actively contribute to the discussions.
The
2EAMBS is co-hosted by the Rwanda Association of Manufacturers (RAM) and the
Rwandan Ministry of Trade Industry & EAC Affairs and is also strongly
supported by all national Manufacturers' Associations from the EAC partner
States and is expected to attract over 400 stakeholders from public and private
sector.
About East African
Business Council
The East
African Business Council (EABC) is the apex body of business associations of
the Private Sector and Corporates from the 5 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. For more information
about EABC, visit its website at www.eabc.info.
For more information please contact:
Ms. Lilian
Awinja – Chief Executive Officer
The
East African Business Council (EABC) - The
Voice of Private Sector in East Africa
P. O. Box 2617 | Plot No. 01
| Olorien House | Perfect Printers Street | Arusha | Tanzania
Tel: +255
(27) 2543047 Fax: +255 272543047 Cell +255
758 124 318
Email:
info@eabc-online.com
Website: www.eabc.info
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