KENYA, TANZANIA, UGANDA MEETING ON TOURISM AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ISSUES CONCLUDES IN ARUSHA

 East African Community Secretariat Arusha; 21 February 2014: The meeting of the Ministers/Cabinet Secretary responsible for Tourism, Wildlife Management, and EAC Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda to resolve their ongoing differences in tourism and wildlife management under the auspices of the EAC Secretariat concluded 20 February, 2014 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania

The 17 to 20 February 2014 meeting was held to discuss among others, Partner States denying entry of tourist vehicles registered in other Partner States; harassment of driver guides at the border crossings; disparities in fees charged; cross border cooperation in wildlife law enforcement; and cooperation and support in addressing multi-lateral environment agreements.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, who is also a Chairperson of EAC Council of Ministers, Hon. Phyllis Kandie, commended the readiness of the three Partner States to meet and discuss the challenges in the tourism sector. She reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Kenya towards the EAC integration agenda.

Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania commended the Republics of Uganda and Kenya for working with the United Republic of Tanzania to resolve the issues persisting in the tourism and wildlife sectors. He noted that by resolving these challenges, Partner States would improve the standard of living for the people in the Region.

Hon. Nyalandu urged Partner States to set and honour timelines agreed upon during the deliberations and encouraged Partner States to work jointly to implement the decisions.

The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Egunyu Akiror Agnes expressed gratitude that the meeting was finally considering issues that had been outstanding in the sector since 2010. She reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Uganda in supporting the integration agenda.

On her part, the Deputy Secretary General in charge Productive and Social Sector, Hon. Jesca Eriyo stated that “as three founding Partner States of the EAC, you share a rich history that should encourage us rather than hinder our progress towards integration’’.