{UAH} Uhuru, Kagame push for 'no-border' EAC - National - monitor.co.ug
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Uhuru, Kagame push for 'no-border' EAC - National
L-R: Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda chat with CEOs Linus Gitahi, of Nation Media Group and Joshua Oigara of Kenya Commercial Bank after the first session of the East African Business Summit in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday. PHOTO BY CYRIL NDEGEYA
In Summary
Both heads of State asked the business community and the regional population to embrace technology to harness development.
Kigali- Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Paul Kagame of Rwanda yesterday mooted for an integrated East Africa if the region is to achieve the required economic growth and development together with confronting emerging global epidemics such as the Ebola virus.
The two leaders were speaking during a presidential business session moderated by Joshua Oigara, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Kenya Commercial Bank after the official opening of the two-day East African Business Summit in Kigali, Rwanda yesterday.
"Our people must be East African, we need to open up borders for our citizens to move freely," President Kenyatta said as he responded to questions raised by company CEOs from across Uganda Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi.
Also in attendance were: EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera, Foreign ministers Amina Mohammed of Kenya and Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, and the Nation Media Group CEO and chairman of the Conveners' Committee, Mr Linus Gitahi.
President Kagame said there was need to strengthen public-private partnerships if the region is to confront its common problems.
On the spread of Ebola in West Africa, President Kagame and his Kenyan counterpart pledged their full support in preventing the hemorrhagic fever from getting close to the boundaries of the region and also pledged assistance to the already affected countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
"We have to work together as East Africa on responding to epidemics like Ebola and terrorism that have already impacted our trade, tourism and development," Mr Kagame said.
"The Ebola virus is a global and African problem. It has affected tourism, led to cancellation of flights and already planned conferences in the region," Mr Kenyatta added.
Both heads of State asked the business community and the regional population to embrace technology to harness development.
According to President Kagame, technology has a multiplier effect in reducing the cost of doing business and assisting service delivery.
Mr Kenyatta, who is the current chair of the EAC, hinted that his counterparts are determined in advancing more regional projects on top of the Single Tourist Visa, the Single Customs Territory and a single roaming area for telecom companies.
On fast tracking the Standard Gauge Railway project, President Kagame said the implementing states were now looking for financiers to fund the construction. He, however, observed that a lot of progress has been recorded despite the region working behind schedule on project implementation.
President Kenyatta appealed to the private sector to invest in energy if the region is to meet its development prospects of 2020 and beyond.
"We cannot grow without energy. We encourage the private sector to invest in energy. As leaders, we are enabling and investing in connectivity across the region to deliver energy at an affordable cost which will attract investment," Mr Kenyatta said.
Both leaders acknowledged that there is need to invest in quality education as opposed to quantity.
High interest rates a hindrance
Request: Businesses leaders appealed to both presidents to find a way of addressing high interests rates in the region, which has made it difficult for people to access cheap credit.
About forum: Held bi-annually, the East African Business Summit brings together the region's top business minds, to engage with thought-leaders, policy makers, practitioners and development actors with a view to find and influence the implementation of solutions that create growth of the East Africa market.
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