The constitution-making process for a political federation of the East African Community, the ultimate stage of the EAC integration, is set to begin this year.
The revelation was made by the EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera, while he was meeting India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania and Representative to the EAC, Mr Sandeep Arya.
On his part, Mr Arya, who was presenting his credentials to the EAC said the relations between India and the East African Community are to be revitalized especially in the areas of trade, cultural exchange and development cooperation.
Mr Arya noted that India already had bilateral projects in most of the EAC Partner States particularly in health and agriculture, adding that his country wanted to partner with the EAC to boost trade volumes and promote industrial growth in East Africa.
The envoy said he would work closely with the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Indian Exim Bank in these initiatives, noting that these partnerships should for a start be between the two institutions and the East African Development Bank and the East African Business Council.
Dr. Sezibera thanked India for its support to the Partner States singling out the scholarships granted to students from the region to study in India.
He also cited the support granted to the Community by India in the preparation of the East African Railways Master Plan, the implementation of which he said would revolutionize the transport sector in the region.
The Secretary General said there would be common rules of origin for goods within the EAC-COMESA-SADC Free Trade Area which is expected to become operational soon. He added that the EAC was also cooperating with COMESA and SADC on infrastructure development.
Later in the day, the Danish Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania and Representative to the EAC Ambassador Einar Jensen also presented his letter of accreditation to the EAC Secretary General, designating him as his country’s representative to the EAC.
In his remarks, the Danish Ambassador hailed EAC for the remarkable achievements so far recorded in the establishment of the Customs Union Protocol, Common Market Protocol and Monetary Union Protocol.
“Denmark has chosen to formalise its relations with the East African Community in recognition of the aspirations and ambitions of the EAC,” Amb Jensen said.
On his part Amb Sezibera lauded the long-standing ties between the EAC Partner States and Denmark, and reaffirmed the EAC’s commitment to strengthen the relationship.
Present at the function was the Counsel to the Community, Dr. Albert Kafumbe.
