A High Powered EAC Delegation in Canada

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A High Powered EAC Delegation in Canada
(Busiweek)--A high-powered East African Community (EAC) delegation was in Canada 10-15 May 2009 to market the EAC as a single trade and investment destination.
The delegation was led by the Minister of trade and industry of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Monique Nsanzabaganwa and comprised of cabinet ministers, officials from public and private sectors from the partner states and from the EAC secretariat. The theme of the Canadian visit was ‘Trade and investment opportunities: East Africa-one market, one destination.’

The delegation also included Amason Jeffa Kingi, Minister for EAC, Kenya; Nelson Gaggawala Wambuzi, Minister of state for trade, Uganda; Mohamed Aboud, deputy Minister for East African cooperation in the United Republic of Tanzania; Mr. Alloys Mutabingwa, EAC deputy Secretary General (planning and infrastructure); and, Mr. Frederick O. Owiti, the EAC Principal economist (investment promotion and private sector development). Monique Nsazabaganwa is the current chair of the EAC sectoral council on trade, industry, finance and investment.

The delegation held several seminars in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Montréal and explored opportunities for investment partnerships with the Canadian business community and investors. The delegation was also expected to identify investment and partnership opportunities in tourism, mining, energy, financial services, ICT, and infrastructure.

The EAC in conjunction with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the East African Business Council, the Canadian Council for Africa (CCA), EAC embassies and high commissioners in Canada, and the Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the Community organised the high profile joint investment mission to Canada. During the Commonwealth East African international business forum held in October 2008 in Kigali, Rwanda; EAC partner states re-affirmed a previous decision during the 1st EAC investment conference that the Community jointly organises outward missions to market itself as one-market-one-business destination.

The investment mission to Canada is therefore an implementation of this recommendation and is focusing on potential investors in Canada as well as following up on existing contacts. The event offered an opportunity to explore areas of bilateral cooperation between EAC and Canada for increased flow of trade and investment for the benefit of the Community. The diaspora is also being targeted in order to enlighten them on the progress in regional integration as well as enticing them to invest back home. Bilateral discussions between EAC and the government of Canada also featured during a tour of the capital city, Ottawa.
 
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