EA-CISO and EAC top leadership meets with Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta President of The Republic of Kenya, Chair of The Summit of Head of States of EAC and Patron of EA-CISO

The EAC regional leadership of the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations (EA-CISO) accompanied by the EAC Chiefs met with the President of the republic of Kenya, H. E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta in his capacity as the Chair of The Summit of Head of States of EAC and Patron of EA-CISO ahead of the summit of the Heads of States of the EAC today the 17^th February 2015 at the office of the president, Nairobi.

During the meeting, the EA-CISO leadership briefed the President on some of its achievements which includes:

1. EA-CISO is currently one of the lead partners in the renowned East African Community Jua Kali /Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions that take place annually on a rotational basis in the region. In this cause, the EA-CISO works with the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the EAC Partner States.
2. The Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition is the biggest single initiative in the EAC that brings many small business people together to promote and expand market opportunities, and encourage competitiveness and innovation in the sector.

3.       Since the inception of the Regional Jua Kali/ Nguvu Kazi Exhibitions, the initiative has enabled the following numbers of exhibitors access to the regional market which consists of more than 140 million people as follows:

Venue	Year	Tanzania	Kenya	Uganda	Rwanda	Burundi	TOTAL
Arusha	1999	41	47	46	0	0	134
Nairobi	2000	52	77	51	0	0	145
Nairobi	2001	85	135	30	0	0	250
Kampala	2002	79	137	123	0	0	339
D’Salaam	2003	207	145	94	0	0	446
Mombasa	2004	103	202	56	32	0	393
Kampala	2005	83	145	56	46	0	330
D’Salaam	2006	326	133	68	32	0	559
Nairobi	2007	156	224	80	50	0	510
Kigali	2008	204	284	123	66	10	742
Dar Es Salaam	2009	479	152	96	75	10	812
Kampala	2011	82	136	122	56	25	421
Bujumbura	2012	87	98	51	38	200	474
Nairobi	2013	271	319	61	55	40	746
Kigali	2014	120	158	95	400	100	873
Total Exhibitors exposed to the regional market to date							7174

4. Has contributed in the widening and deepening cooperation and interaction among the partner states in: trade, social cultural exchanges, sciences and technology, among others.

5. Has brought together many artisans and other Micro Small and Medium sized enterprises operators thus promoting trade and social bonds among themselves.

6. Has provided unique opportunities for the artisans to sharpen and strengthen their capabilities and competitiveness as well as increase their productivity and potential for wealth and employment creation regionally.

7. Has enhanced the EAC integration and the promotion of cross border trade.

8. Has created awareness of the huge economic potential of Micro and Small Enterprises sector in the region.

9. EA-CISO has promoted and facilitated exposure and training tours within the region as follows:

Between 28^th October and 2^nd November 2013, Twenty two (22) Burundian MSE Artisans under the Confederation of Informal Sector Organization- Burundi Chapter visited Kenya on an exposure and training mission. The delegation included Artisans drawn from the following sectors:  Sculpture,   Painting, Leather, Furniture,  Basketry and,  Metal Fabrication.

The Artisans were hosted by the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations and were attached to various Primary MSE Associations across the country were they shared experiences and learned new skills in their areas of interest.

The above is a joint initiative of the KCB Burundi, AHD and EA-CISO among other partners aimed at a regional exchange programme for the MSE Sector in the East African Region.

Among the recommendations of the meeting were;

1                                            that an institution be established dedicated to the development and promotion of the MSE Sector in the EAC region

2                                            that the proposed institution be cascaded in Partner States which will have linkages with the EAC Partner States in line with the MSE Authority in Kenya

3                                            need for the establishment of a one stop shop where EAC Partner State products are showcased within the Capitals and the border crossing points,

4                                            that each Partner States establish permanent standard exhibition grounds where the regional rotational MSE exhibition can be held

5                                            that the EAC should promote the apprenticeship training and certification of the Artisans and

6                                            the EAC should introduce a policy to promote the MSE Sector by insuring that each Partner State and the EAC Head Quarters do promote the buy east African build east African by procuring a minimum of 40% of goods and services from the MSE Sector among others

the EA-CISO delegation was led by the deputy Patron , Mr. Keli Kiilu, Secretary General, Mr.John Kihiu , the Treasurer General, Bbossa and the EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Project Manager Mr. Richard Muteti among others while the EAC Secretariat delegation was led by the Secretary General, Dr. Richard Sezibera and the Director General (C & T) Mr. Kiguta.in attendance was the  Kenyan Cabinet Secretary responsible for EAC and her Permanent Secretary.