This follows the workshop that was recently held with SME representatives and other BMOs from across the region. The main agenda was to agree if indeed there was a need to set up a regional platform to address SME issues/challenges which included:
1.
Transport and Logistic services in East Africa and Non-tariff measures
affecting growth of SMEs.
2.
How to improve SME export capacity and the role of trade facilitation
organizations in increasing the competitiveness of export oriented SMEs.
3.
Policy requirements for enhancing competitiveness of SMEs in East Africa.
4.
Role of Innovation and Technology in improving SME Competitiveness.
Importantly,
the participants agreed that there needs to be a structured support programme
for addressing SME related issues. They however agreed that there needs to be
careful due diligence to ensure duplication of efforts is mitigated. Below
please see the recommendations that were adopted at the end of the meeting:
1.
The participants agreed to the formation of an SME platform with a caution that
it must specifically be tailor-made to meet the SME needs at the regional
level, arising from each of the EAC Partner States.
2.
The platform should not replace the existing entities, but can spread/share
knowledge on best practices, depending on the roles that will be assigned to
the platform.
3.
TMEA should facilitate a SME assessment/research to document the mandate of
existing SME associations/organizations in the region, identify best practices
and also to establish the viability of setting up an SME platform that is
sustainable.
4.
It was noted that, the East African Charter in Article 125(4) makes provision
for a dialogue framework. However, it was agreed that creating a platform would
not threaten the position of the EABC or its activities.
TradeMark
East Africa is currently following this up with internal consultations on the
best way forward and gather more information on how best to structure and
effective advocacy vehicle for the SMEs
