FEAFFA Grant activities May 14th – 18th 2012

A Concept paper and draft scope of work for a mini study on self-regulation of the clearing and forwarding industry in East Africa were developed and submitted to USAID COMPETE. This study aimed to analyze regulatory practices within the region and compare them with developments in the clearing and forwarding industry, with the goal of justifying the need for self-regulation to inform FEAFFA's advocacy efforts. The FEAFFA Executive Board held its first meeting for the year 2012 at Hotel Club Du Lac Tanganyika in Bujumbura on May 17th. The meeting reviewed the audited books of accounts, the annual report, and recommended strategies for addressing internal wrangling in some national associations in preparation for the general assembly. The meeting also addressed governance issues within the associations. The FEAFFA General Assembly was held on May 18th, 2012, at Hotel Club Du Lac Tanganyika in Bujumbura. The meeting was attended by representatives of all national associations affiliated with FEAFFA. The assembly elected a new Executive Board and addressed governance issues within some of the national associations. The new Board was inaugurated in a colorful handover ceremony witnessed by the Commissioner General of Burundi Revenue Authority. The new Executive Board members include Mathew Bizimana as President, Merian Sebunya as 1st Vice President, Hezron Awiti as 2nd Vice President, Stephen Ngatunga as Secretary General, Sseka Fred as Treasurer, and several other members from various countries. The East Africa Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate program held its first graduation in Burundi on May 18th, 2012. Twenty-one students who had successfully completed the program graduated in a colorful ceremony at Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika in Bujumbura. The function was presided over by the Minister for EAC of Burundi and the Commissioner General of Burundi Revenue Authority, who pledged their support to the training program. The graduation marked the rollout of the training program in the entire region.