East Africa
Why oil should not be EAC’s curse
IPN Opinion article
With oil and gas discoveries in Uganda and exploration throughout the region, the big bucks of energy could help open up the forthcoming EAC Common Market or they could become entangled in state meddling and cronyism.
Combating Health and Safety Counterfeit Products In the East African Community (EAC)
Julian Harris is speaking at a workshop on the enforcement of intellectual property rights to help combat health and safety counterfeit products in the East African Community (EAC).
Country gears for WTO talks
IPN Opinion article
Meanwhile, the Inter Region Economic Network Executive Director, James Shikwati, attributes Africa\'s inability to negotiate at the WTO talks to its heavy reliance on donor aid to fund the various governments basic development programmes.
He said agricultural subsides in the developed countries have denied Africa an opportunity to prosper, while ensuring that it remains dependant on donors.
\"The developed countries have favoured sending donor money to poor countries as a way subsidising their markets,\" he said. He was speaking during the Media launch on freedom to trade campaign held at a Nairobi hotel.
He said African countries need to adopt both long and short-term policies to help boost their negotiating abilities.
He also urged Kenya and other African countries to enhance inter linkages by opening up trade within their respective borders.
