The 39th Extraordinary Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment, convened from April 15th to 20th, 2024, marked a pivotal moment for the East African Community (EAC). Attended by esteemed delegates from various EAC Partner States, the council aimed to assess progress and chart a course forward for key manufacturing sectors within the region.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVIOUS DIRECTIVES/DECISIONS

The Secretariat compiled a report on the status of implementation of the 38^th Ex-SCTIFI held on 1^st April 2024.  There were 27 decisions/directives of the meeting.  Eight 8 (30%) of the directives and decisions were fully implemented while 14 (52%) are ongoing and 5 (18%) have not been implemented. 100% of the non-implemented directives are by the Secretariat and they require financial resources and necessary human resources for implementation.

Progress Across Sectors:

1. Cotton, Textiles, and Apparel (CTA):

Efforts to bolster the CTA sector witnessed significant strides. The verification mission conducted in April and June 2021 assessed the productive capacities of cotton yarn and fabric mills across Partner States. Recommendations were made to expedite national consultations and report progress, urging Tanzania to finalize consultations by May 2024.

2. Leather Products and Footwear:

A comprehensive regional mission to Ethiopia in June 2023 shed light on opportunities for growth in the leather industry. Recommendations included adopting best practices, developing waste management guidelines, and implementing exchange programs to address expertise gaps. Urgent actions were advised to promote eco-friendly practices and support industry development.

3. Automotive Industry:

The council emphasized the need to expedite feasibility studies for low-cost vehicle manufacturing and resolve consultations on age limits for imported vehicles. Additionally, resource mobilization efforts were urged to support sector development.

4. Fruits and Vegetables (F&V):

Supported by the SEAMPECII program, the F&V sector saw initiatives to enhance regional trade and value addition. Recommendations ranged from policy upscaling to digital data collection mechanisms and ecological mapping to promote value addition in nuts.

5. Quality Infrastructure (QI) Development:

Continuing support from the German Development Cooperation focused on strengthening Quality Infrastructure (QI) for the leather and F&V sectors. Capacity-building initiatives for MSMEs and seed potato stakeholders were highlighted as essential for sectoral growth.

6. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:

The council emphasized the importance of local pharmaceutical production and regulatory compliance. Recommendations included human resource capacity building, supply chain strengthening, and the adoption of updated regulatory frameworks.

7. Pharmaceutical Waste Management:

Addressing pharmaceutical waste management emerged as a critical concern. Recommendations encompassed the development of regional regulations, installation of incinerators, and public awareness campaigns to ensure proper disposal practices.

8. Legislative Support:

Close collaboration with the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) was advised to advance legislative frameworks, such as the EAC Pharmaceutical Bill 2020, aimed at fostering regional pharmaceutical development.

9. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):

Efforts to combat AMR included project close-out reports, expert meetings to explore regional antibiotic production and alignment with existing regional health programs.

10. Capacity Building:

Capacity-building initiatives were underscored across various sectors, including the establishment of regional centers of excellence and collaboration with development partners to enhance technical capacities and regulatory compliance.

The outcomes of the 39th Sectoral Council underscored the EAC’s commitment to fostering industrial growth, promoting regional trade, and ensuring sustainable development across key manufacturing sectors. With strategic recommendations in place, the journey towards a more vibrant and resilient East African manufacturing landscape continues.