Amb. Escure replaces Mr. Jacques Champagne de Labriolle whose tour of duty as France’s Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania ended late last year.

In a letter dated 21 November 2011, France’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Alain Juppe states that H.E. Mr. Marcel Escure’s mission to the EAC will further strengthen the ties between France and the East African Community.

“France wishes to support the integration process that your Community has started as well as the rapprochement initiated with the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa,” noted the French Foreign Minister.

The EAC Secretary General Amb. Sezibera hailed the cordial relations that exist between France and the EAC Partner States, and briefed the French envoy on the critical activities that will dominate the integration agenda in the next five years which include consolidation of the EAC Customs Union and establishing a single customs territory; implementation of the provisions of the Common Market Protocol and; conclusion of the Protocol for the Establishment of the East African Monetary Union.

For more information please contact: Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Tel: 255-768-835021; Email: othieno@eachq.org

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He says that East African countries are repeating great benefits from the economic integration efforts so far achieved.

Tanzania President, Jakaya Kikwete

Kikwete said this while delivering the State of the East African Community Address to the East Africa Legislative Assembly as Chairperson of the East Africa Community Heads of State.

He said despite earlier worries, the Customs Union has had a positive impact by increasing the volume and value of trade among the economies of the EAC Partner States.  Kiwkete says by comparison, between 2005 and 2008 intra-East African Community trade increased from USD1,847.3 million to USD 2,715.4 million.  He noted that government revenues which were feared would drop have not and, instead, there is evidence of increase.

He expressed optimism that the five EAC member states would effectively make the step towards a single customs territory whereby duties for imported goods are paid at the port of entry.  Kikwete told the EAC Africa MPs that evasion of tax that could be done by some unscrupulous importers in the name of transit goods could be avoided.

He also called for the removal of infrastructure related barriers to enable smooth flow of trade and people of the East African region.  He said good physical infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, inland water ways, airports, energy and telecommunications are essential for a well functioning customs union and common market which the five EAC member countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi have already agreed on. The East African Common Market becomes effective on July 1^st 2010.

“It is not possible for our nations to realise the full benefits of regional integration where there is no reliable infrastructure. For sure the markets will not be accessible, hence render all of our effort an exercise in futility,” Kikwete said.

He also called for more efforts to mitigate the effects of drought on food security and agriculture productivity in East African countries, noting that better disaster preparedness is necessary to help EAC countries from adverse effects of climate change.

The full speech is here

Ultimate Media

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