EAC Business Summit opens in Rwanda on Monday

The 2nd East African Manufacturing Business Summit and Exhibition (EAMBS) is opening in Kigali, Rwanda starting May 23 to 25, 2017.

Over 300 top executives in the manufacturing and agri-business sectors, high-ranking policy and decision makers, as well as leading financial institutions from Africa and beyond have already confirmed their participation, according to the EAC Secretariat.

The manufacturing business summit and exhibition is organised by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the East African Business Council, the host Government of Rwanda and other EAC Partner States with the support of Development Partners.

Topics to be discussed include Manufacturing in the EAC Region, Public and Private Sector perspective; The EAC Treaty and its' protocols, objectives vis-à-vis reality; Long-Term and Innovative Financing for the Manufacturing Sector & the Participation of the Diaspora; and the Role of EAC Governments in Promoting Local Content with a focus on Iron, Steel, Mining and Construction Materials.

There will also be a High level dialogue on the Manufacturing—Trade nexus in the EAC; Improved Competitiveness through skills and innovation; Partners Roundtable /Financing to support Industrialization; and Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics: "Growing EAC's nascent pharmaceutical industry."

The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame is expected to grace the official opening ceremony of the Summit.

Dignitaries expected to attend, according to the Secretariat, include Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the EAC Secretary General; as well as line Ministers from all EAC Partner States, who shall engage the private sector on critical steps needed to leverage higher levels of investment in manufacturing.

Dr. Reginald Mengi, the Executive Chairman of the IPP Media Group Tanzania (Ltd), Ali Mufuruki, Chairman & CEO, Infotech Investment Group LTD, Phyllis Wakiaga, CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers are among the private sector people who have confirmed their participation in the Summit.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, the EAC Deputy Secretary General, in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Christophe Bazivamo, said the EAMBS offers an important platform for governments in the region to engage the private sector on critical steps needed to leverage higher levels of investment in manufacturing.

"The private sector, on its part, is expected to use the Summit to advocate for the acceleration of industrial reforms aimed at improving the investment climate in the EAC strategic sectors," Bazivamo said.

He noted that the EAC region has already identified strategic areas for industrial development in the region that bear comparative advantages and where significant private sector investment is needed to unlock potentials.

Bazivamo disclosed that the EAMBS would put a special emphasis on the role of diaspora investors and will come up with special provisions on how they can be attracted to invest in the region.