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Experts from various sectors within the East African Community (EAC) expressed dissatisfaction with member states’ lack of enthusiasm to promote trade and regulate imports during the two-day workshop in Nairobi.

The displeasure was highlighted at a two-day workshop dubbed ‘Regional Focal Persons Workshop to Monitor the Implementation of the EAC Fruits and Vegetables; Leather & Leather Products; and Pharmaceutical Sectors Strategies and Action Plans’

During the meeting, Purity Kamau highlighted Kenya’s progress in the livestock sector but emphasized that more needs to be done across member states.

Harmonization of standards

In the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and leather sectors, the experts stressed the importance of harmonizing standards, supporting the adoption of codes of conduct, and prioritizing quality planting seeds and seedlings.

They urged Partner States to streamline approval processes for pharmaceutical waste disposal to mitigate potential risks.

Additionally, the experts emphasized the need for investment in modern processing technologies in the leather sector to address challenges such as high production costs and low-quality products.

Other issues identified included low volumes of locally produced leather goods, limited tannery capacity, and weak linkages between MSMEs and formal retail outlets.