The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the East African Business Council (EABC) have agreed to deepen co-operation in a bid to strengthen the integration process.

On Monday afternoon, EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin, received the EABC Chairman, Mr Nicholas Nesbitt, in the Speaker’s Chamber in Arusha, where both officials revealed the need to take the partnership a notch higher.

“Both institutions are to set to deepen areas of co-operation, the specifics of which shall be worked out later in September 2018, under an engagement framework,” it was agreed.

Speaker Ngoga rallied for a clear avenue of engagement that institutionalizes the efforts of the regional legislators and the private sector. “This is something we need to bring to fruition so that we strategize together and regularly consult over key matters of integration,” he added.

The Speaker remarked that EALA remained keen to enhance its legislative, representative and oversight role for the benefit of all stakeholders including the Business Community. He further lauded the regional private sector body for the tremendous work it continued to undertake in the region noting that it was a major driving force and engine for integration.

Rt Hon Ngoga said it was vital for stakeholders in the integration process to think ‘regional in their approach to issues’ saying the nationalistic tendencies should be discarded.

On his part, the EABC Chairman, Mr Nesbitt reiterated the EABC was focused on the ultimate prize of full integration and said the apex body as part of its strategy would be aligning itself with key institutions to realise mutual beneficially relationships.

Mr Nesbitt informed the Speaker that EABC would be holding a full Board meeting in Arusha in September 2018 and that a second meeting between both institutions (EABC and EALA) was necessary to discuss the “nuts and bolts” of co-operation.

The EABC Vice Chairman, Mwine Jim Kabeho said the Private Sector had continued to face a number of challenges which the Assembly was best placed to address while EABC’s Ambassador (and former EALA Chair of the Legal Rules and Privileges Committee), Hon Peter Mathuki said it was necessary for both institutions to interface and resolve many issues for a stronger integration and for posterity’s sake.

In attendance were senior EABC staff led by the CEO, Lilian Awinja, and the EALA Senior Public Relations Officer, Bobi Odiko.