COMESA Will Offer Granta to Only Active Groups,Says Dr Otia Etyang

Common Market for Easter and Southern Africa will offer grants to only active groups, the head of governance, peace, and security, Comesa, Dr Oita Etyang,  has said.

In a key note address during the closure of the four-day workshop for Kenya and Uganda small scale cross border traders at Hotel Suddex in Amagoro on Thursday, Dr.Oita said groups should prove that they are organized to access the funds.

" Lack of accountability is the biggest problem in Africa. Groups need to have clear structures and provide information to their members. Comesa will continue supporting and engaging with your leadership,"he said, adding that they have a division of trade in Comesa.

Dr. Oita urged participants to strengthen cross-border associations and love themselves first and others later and to work closely with border agencies for effective service delivery.

He told the leadership of various groups to submit their recommendations by August 30 for subsequent implementation by Comesa.

Uganda Revenue Authority Administrative Officer Abdu Lemeiriga thanked Comesa and Africa Youth Network for supporting this good engagement, calling for the strengthening of the charter.

" There is also a need  to strengthen simplified tariff regimes and how to handle trade disputes and to streamline simplified certificates of origin to enable traders access the document with ease to facilitate cross border trade," he noted.

Abdu added:" Let small- scale traders work to grow and become importers and help the government, Comesa, and other agencies."

Kenya Revenue Authority representative Vincent Ogutu said our forefathers embraced polygamy, noting that there is a need  to go back to cultural ways of doing things.

" Peaceful  trade should be embraced to boost tax collection to enable governments plan on economic activities," he said.

Team Kenya and Team Uganda later made group discussions on the establishment and/or strengthening of a joint borde and 

and development of a work plan to implement.

Team Kenya, in recommendations presented by Dickson Olita, called for capacity building for the joint border committee and train committee members on legal framework, operational standards, and regional trade protocol.

Team Kenya called on Comesa to provide support for cultural programs  and peace initiatives and facilitate intercultural exchange  and peace buildings.

Other recommendations included youth engagement  in economic and cultural programs, grants and trade facilitation  for vulnerable groups, and the establishment  of wellness and social support amenities.