It’s vital to involve all in EAC processes
Aug 02, 2009
EXECUTIVE TALK<br><br>THE East African community (EAC), which collapsed in 1977 and re-established in 1999 with the signing of the EAC treaty, is slowly regaining ground.
EXECUTIVE TALK
By Herbert Kabafunzaki
THE East African community (EAC), which collapsed in 1977 and re-established in 1999 with the signing of the EAC treaty, is slowly regaining ground.
A number of factors, including mistrust and suspicion among members, fear of loss of sovereignty, many tribal groupings and ethnicity, lack of vision and common agenda, colonial policy of divide and rule and lack of strategy had caused the collapse of the first integration efforts.
Though the bloc still faces challenges like the ongoing Migingo Island stand-off between Kenya and Uganda, it is evident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As the world becomes a global village, it would be denial for us to expect development without unity.
A case in point is China which is now threatening other economic powers like America because of its bargaining strength as a big bloc. China is the world’s most populous country with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, according to the United Nations World Population Database for 2002.
China is continuing to gain world influence and recognition because of its huge market.
Borrowing from the common saying that “changing the face can change nothing, but facing the change can change everythingâ€, we, therefore, need to analyse the country’s readiness for this eminent and desirable change.
As enterprises come to terms with the rapid technological changes during this digital and Internet era, it would not be wise to leave issues like these to politicians alone.
Before many protocols of EAC are put in force, Ugandans should quickly equip themselves with necessary tools.
It is time high we stopped waiting to be hunted and became hunters.
Uganda’s strengths in EAC lie more in its natural underutilised and unutilised resources. The agriculture industry is not yet fully mechanised, the country is also blessed with a big entrepreneurial middle class.
Our sound macro-economic policy, efficient transport links, financial sector, liberal investment incentives and cheap labour are also strong points for the integration.
Embracing the integration would present Uganda with open-ended opportunities to upgrade infrastructure, education and training, investment packages to enhance our industrial growth.
As we progress to this harmonisation, there is still need to convince all stakeholders, especially peasants who take up 79% of the population, in the case of Uganda.
The ordinary people need to know how they will benefit from the East African Community Federation and how it will help them in tackling global challenges.
Involving private economic operators, establishing institutions that enable private economic operators like farmers, industrial firms, traders, and transporters to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies that generate increased cross-border economic activity, would be a better option.
This approach creates an environment that could induce private enterprises to increase regional trade.
The civil society should not be left out as spectators. They must be involved to support the process at every step.
Entrepreneurs and citizens should get the necessary information to understand the extent of opportunities the federation shall offer to enable them compete favourably.
Training and continuous improvement are a must if employees and business owners are to keep afloat because: “It’s easier to protect your feet with slippers than to cover the earth with a carpet.â€
The writer is the director of Khan Business Consultancy in Kampala
By Herbert Kabafunzaki
THE East African community (EAC), which collapsed in 1977 and re-established in 1999 with the signing of the EAC treaty, is slowly regaining ground.
A number of factors, including mistrust and suspicion among members, fear of loss of sovereignty, many tribal groupings and ethnicity, lack of vision and common agenda, colonial policy of divide and rule and lack of strategy had caused the collapse of the first integration efforts.
Though the bloc still faces challenges like the ongoing Migingo Island stand-off between Kenya and Uganda, it is evident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As the world becomes a global village, it would be denial for us to expect development without unity.
A case in point is China which is now threatening other economic powers like America because of its bargaining strength as a big bloc. China is the world’s most populous country with over 1.3 billion inhabitants, according to the United Nations World Population Database for 2002.
China is continuing to gain world influence and recognition because of its huge market.
Borrowing from the common saying that “changing the face can change nothing, but facing the change can change everythingâ€, we, therefore, need to analyse the country’s readiness for this eminent and desirable change.
As enterprises come to terms with the rapid technological changes during this digital and Internet era, it would not be wise to leave issues like these to politicians alone.
Before many protocols of EAC are put in force, Ugandans should quickly equip themselves with necessary tools.
It is time high we stopped waiting to be hunted and became hunters.
Uganda’s strengths in EAC lie more in its natural underutilised and unutilised resources. The agriculture industry is not yet fully mechanised, the country is also blessed with a big entrepreneurial middle class.
Our sound macro-economic policy, efficient transport links, financial sector, liberal investment incentives and cheap labour are also strong points for the integration.
Embracing the integration would present Uganda with open-ended opportunities to upgrade infrastructure, education and training, investment packages to enhance our industrial growth.
As we progress to this harmonisation, there is still need to convince all stakeholders, especially peasants who take up 79% of the population, in the case of Uganda.
The ordinary people need to know how they will benefit from the East African Community Federation and how it will help them in tackling global challenges.
Involving private economic operators, establishing institutions that enable private economic operators like farmers, industrial firms, traders, and transporters to participate in the formulation and implementation of policies that generate increased cross-border economic activity, would be a better option.
This approach creates an environment that could induce private enterprises to increase regional trade.
The civil society should not be left out as spectators. They must be involved to support the process at every step.
Entrepreneurs and citizens should get the necessary information to understand the extent of opportunities the federation shall offer to enable them compete favourably.
Training and continuous improvement are a must if employees and business owners are to keep afloat because: “It’s easier to protect your feet with slippers than to cover the earth with a carpet.â€
The writer is the director of Khan Business Consultancy in Kampala