In a Memorandum of Understanding, UNCTAD and TradeMark Africa (TMA) have agreed to strengthen the scope and impact of their activities in East Africa by joining forces on a number of issues.

Joakim Reiter, Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD and Frank Matsaert, Chief Executive Officer of TradeMark Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 1 July 2015.

“With this MoU our two organizations aim at further strengthening collaboration to efficiently deliver targeted assistance to countries and institutions in the region” Joakim Reiter.

“We are delighted to enter into a MoU with UNCTAD which provides a platform for cooperation between our two organizations. This will help us work together with our partners in the East African Community in a more coordinated way, implementing issues such as Trade Facilitation and policies on Women in Trade” Frank Matsaert

TradeMark Africa (TMA) is a not for profit organization which promotes regional trade and economic integration in East Africa.

Collaboration between the two organizations dates back to 2012. This new MoU strengthens the collaboration and lays out a framework for future work in an area of mutual concern: inclusive and sustainable growth and development through economic integration.

Specific areas of collaboration:

1. Trade and Gender.
2. Trade Facilitation, including Customs automation and trade portals.
3. Sustainable transport (road, rail and ports) and finance.

Joint work foreseen under this MoU:

1. Joint policy-oriented research activities.
2. Joint policy advice at the country-level.
3. Joint in-country projects.

By joining forces with TMA, UNCTAD will benefit from TMA’s in-depth knowledge of the region and well established presence.

TMA, on its side, will benefit from UNCTAD’s technical expertise and global reach. Both institutions will expand their network of partners. Countries and institutions in East Africa will benefit from enhanced scope and impact of activities.

Source: UNCTAD.org

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.