Sh10bn EAC budget approved, paving the way for faster unity
PHOTO | STEPHEN MUDIARI | FILE Mr Shem Bageine (right), Uganda’s minister for EAC Affairs, at a past function. On the right is Mr Moses Wetangula (then Kenya’s Minister for Trade), and US Secretary of Commerce Rebbecca Blank. The region’s priority areas include the Customs Union and establishment of a single customs territory.
What you need to know:
- Partner states to contribute Sh3.1bn ($37.2 million) through their respective ministries of EAC while development partners will give Sh7.1bn ($85.6 million)
The East African Legislative Assembly has approved the EAC budget, paving the way for consolidating of the Common Market protocol.
The Sh10.9 billion ($131.8 million) budget was presented last month to the assembly, citing areas to be focused on in the region once approved.
The Secretariat will now spend Sh57.8 billion ($69.7 million), a drop from the Sh10.5 billion ($127.3 million) in the current financial year.
The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) has been allocated Sh1.1 billion ($13.8 million), while the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) will get Sh348.6 million ($4.2 million).
The Inter-University Council for East Africa shall receive Sh821.7 million ($9.9 million) while Sh265.6 million ($3.2 million) is earmarked for the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation.
According to a statement from the community, the 2013/14 budget, down from Sh11.6 billion ($140million) in the previous financial year, prioritises consolidation of the Common Market; completion of negotiations and movement towards the East African Monetary Union Protocol.
Others include “investment promotion and private sector development; co-operation in cross-border infrastructure; enhancing the extractive and processing industries; implementation of the critical activities of EAC Food Security and the mainstreaming of policies, programmes and projects related to gender.”
Partner states are expected to contribute Sh3.1 billion ($37.2 million) through their respective ministries of EAC, while development partners will give Sh7.1 billion ($85.6 million).
The remaining Sh17,.1 million ($205,850) will come from other sources of income.
The budget was presented by the chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers and Minister of State for East African Affairs, Uganda, Mr Shem Bageine, last month.
Customs territory
He noted that among the priority areas were interventions in the Customs Union, leading to establishment of a single customs territory.
“The territory will develop the gains of integration characterised by minimal internal border controls and a more efficient institutional mechanism in clearing goods,” said Mr Bageine.
Eala also passed the Appropriation Bill 2013 and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2013.
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2013, makes provision for money required in the year ending June 30, 2013 — for the Sh390 million ($4.7 million) expenditure incurred on the Kenya Election Observation Mission.
