Regional manufacturing industry leaders in Kigali

May 24, 2017 in Business, Markets, Trade & Industry by Editor

The Summit comes as the region attracts attention from foreign investors due to its increasing economic integration suitable for mass manufacturing.

May 24—Regional top policy-makers and business leaders are in Kigali for the the 2nd East African Manufacturing Business Summit and Exhibition (EAMBS).

Some 400 participants will talk on how to push the EAC industrialization agenda forward. Lilian Awinja, the East African Business Council CEO said in the run-up to the summit.,“The 2nd East African Manufacturing Summit provides an avenue for the private sector to share practical insights on the linkages among local content, domestic value addition and promotion of industries.”

Over three days, sessions will cover 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; The Role of EAC Governments in Promoting Local Content with a focus on Iron, Steel, Mining and Construction Materials; 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.

Also in Kigali is Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). He said recently intra-Africa trade remains lagging even as the region’s share of the Global Value Chain stays small.

“Improving the value chain of EAC Strategic Sectors is key for the region to reap benefits of local content requirements,” Awinja said.

Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the EAC Secretary General as well as line Ministers from all EAC Partner States, will 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, Ali Mufuruki, Chairman and CEO, Infotech Investment Group Limited, Phyllis Wakiaga, CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers are among the private sector heavyweights who have confirmed their participation in the Summit.