The Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, over the weekend received credential from the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Republic of Tanzania Mohamed Gaber Abulwafa, who is also assigned as the Permanent representative of Egypt to EAC.
The Secretary General briefed the Egyptian diplomat on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process. He described Egypt as an important trading partner for the EAC and praised its outstanding role in promoting negotiations for the Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) between the EAC, COMESA and SADC.
Mfumukeko and the Egypt envoy discussed several issues including the status of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and also explored areas of collaboration in trade and investment.
On his part, Abulwafa said his country was eager to boost trade and technical cooperation with the EAC Partner States. He informed the Secretary General that Egypt has committed to improve areas of cooperation with the East African Community.
The EAC Secretary General also received the credentials from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mousa Farhang who also serve as representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the East African Community.
The Iranian envoy expressed delight at the accreditation commenting that Iran has very good relations with the EAC member states.
“In spite of the good relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the EAC Partner States, I believe a lot of the potential has not yet explored noting that untapped opportunities abound in trade and investment,’’ remarked Farhang.
Mfumukeko on his part, informed the Iranian Envoy that EAC is open to investment in areas of infrastructure, especially in roads, railways, ports and energy as well as technical and financial support from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Also present at the accreditation ceremonies was EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge and officials at the EAC Secretariat.